Goodyear Grinch Steals Christmas in Collingwood - Steelworkers

TORONTO and COLLINGWOOD, Ontario, Dec. 9, 2005 -- United Steelworkers' Ontario/Atlantic Director Wayne Fraser said Friday the sudden temporary layoff of 37 workers by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Collingwood was done just in time to avoid paying workers for the Christmas Holiday.

"Goodyear is the world's largest tire company and it is acting like Ebenezer Scrooge and the Grinch all rolled into one," said Fraser. "No warning was given for the layoffs, no opportunity to plan. It is a callous and disgraceful way for the company to treat its employees. Any time of the year is difficult when facing a layoff but the holiday season is especially so, not only for the workers but for the economic well being of the community itself."

Steelworker Staff Representative John Chamelot said that the timing of the layoffs allows the company to avoid any obligation to provide statutory holiday pay.

"There was no good reason to lay people off right now except to be cheap and miserly," said Chamelot. "Had the company waited one more week, these employees would have fallen within the window of entitlement for holiday pay pursuant to the collective agreement."

Fraser said the Steelworkers' union will contact Goodyear's Board of Directors over this issue, including the union's recent nominee to the Board, Michael R. Wessel, appointed just last week.

The United Steelworkers represents Goodyear employees all over North America. In Canada, the union represents 280,000 men and women working in every sector of the economy.

"The kind of corporate behaviour displayed by Goodyear should not go unchallenged," said Fraser.

John Chamelot 705.326.6681