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Tire Unions Form Global Network at Goodyear

11 March 1999

Tire Unions Form Global Network at Goodyear

    CLEVELAND, March 11 -- The following is a joint release of
the United Steelworkers of America and the International Federation of
Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions:

    Tire and rubber unions from sixteen countries on five continents, all
representing workers employed at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., met here today
and formed a global network of unions "for our mutual defense and
advancement."
    The unions forming the network came from the United States, Canada,
Guatemala, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Chile, the United Kingdom, France,
Germany, Slovenia, Turkey, Morocco, South Africa, Malaysia and Japan.  The
unions are affiliated internationally with the 20 million-strong International
Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine & General Workers' Unions (ICEM).
    The unions formed a formal steering committee for the union network and
elected Richard Davis, Vice President for Administration of the United
Steelworkers of America (USWA), as its chairman.  Davis is the USWA's chief
negotiator with Goodyear in the United States.
    "The creation of this network is an historic first step to build worker
solidarity across borders in one multinational corporation," said Davis.
"When we heard reports about Goodyear operations and labor relations in the
different countries, we found we had a lot in common with each other and
needed to work together for a common agenda."
    Goodyear has operations in 29 countries.  In 1998, Goodyear earned profits
of $682.3 million on revenues of $12.6 billion.  Globally, the company employs
approximately 95,000 people.  The company recently concluded a joint venture
agreement with Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. which, when it becomes
effective, will make Goodyear the largest tire company in the world.
    The unions agreed to make worker health and safety a first priority for
the network, following reports of wide discrepancies in conditions at Goodyear
facilities in different parts of the world.
    "Is a worker's life in Malaysia worth any less than a worker's life in the
United States or the United Kingdom?" asked USWA President George Becker, who
chaired today's meeting.  "Of course, it is not, and we have to work together
to ensure that Goodyear adheres to the highest possible standards no matter
where it does business."
    Becker also serves as chairman of the ICEM Global Rubber Division.
    The unions also agreed to create a data base on Goodyear's operations and
working conditions, and to assist each other during collective bargaining
negotiations and disputes with Goodyear when they arise, and attempts to
organize the company's non-union facilities.