Lou Dobbs Exposes Goodyear’s Plan to Cut U.S. Workers, Move Jobs Overseas

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2006/12/06/dobbs-exposes-goodyear%e2%80%99s-plan-to-cut-us-workers-move-jobs-overseas/

Dobbs Exposes Goodyear’s Plan to Cut U.S. Workers, Move Jobs Overseas

by James Parks, Dec 6, 2006

The “Lou Dobbs Tonight” report Tuesday on CNN exposed another attack on the nation’s middle class by highlighting the example of the United Steelworkers (USW) strike at the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.

CNN correspondent Lisa Sylvester exposed Goodyear’s plans to shutter its manufacturing plant in Tyler, Texas, which would affect 1,100 workers. It would be the third U.S. plant to shut down in four years. At the same time, the giant tiremaker is increasing tire imports from factories that pay workers 42 cents an hour.

On the show, USW President Leo Gerard said Goodyear’s actions are a direct result of bad trade policies:

The reality is that the economic trading system is bankrupting America. The economic trading system is showing companies like Goodyear a roadmap out of town.

Some 15,000 USW members were forced out on strike Oct. 5 after the company refused to budge on its demand to close the Tyler plant and to abandon its obligation to provide health care benefits for retirees by making a one-time payment to a fund that would provide inferior benefits. To read a transcript of the CNN show, click here.

Meanwhile, the USW reports that Goodyear placed ads in several North Carolina newspapers this week, seeking replacement workers for strikers. More than 1,000 union workers from Continental Tire were laid off in Charlotte, N.C., in May when tire production was transferred to Brazil, Mexico and South Africa.

But the company is wasting its time, says Mark Cieslikowski, president of USW Local 850, which represents Continental Tire workers:

Our members held strong when we were on strike for a full year in 1998. Out of 1,400 members, only 11 crossed the picket line. Goodyear should be using that money and effort to negotiate a fair contract with its regular work force.

[Radical Activist]

1. Yet, the Clinton/Begala/DLC voices in the party

still tell us what a good thing this is and anyone who disagrees is a protectionist. I don't want these people back in charge.

[AzDar]

2. I'll second that emotion.... n/t

[dmosh42]

3. And I'll bet Goodyear gets tax incentives....

from OUR gov't to set up their overseas unit!

[Vinca]

4. It's truly insane what's happening to this country.

The area where I live used to have plants that manufactured books, shoes, handbags, paper products . . . and they're all gone. They used to provide a good living for thousands of people and provided good benefits. The people who go off for "retraining" often find themselves outsourced a second time when their high tech job goes to India. What's to become of us all? You have to choose a career that requires hands on and must be done within our shores. We're becoming a nation of massage therapists and undertakers.

[sadiesworld]

5. I'm not sure that a hands-on occupation is even much of an answer.

Between the insourcing of ever cheaper labor and the inevitable decrease in demand for services as disposable income disappears, I'd say we're screwed.