The union sent a letter to the company last week saying it would return to negotiations if the company agreed to stop closing plants and plans to cut health care. Steelworkers vice president Tom Conway said he assumes by Goodyear's return that would do so. But in a conference call Goodyear chairman Robert Keegan was not sounding contrite.
Robert Keegan: Our resolve to come out of negotiations with USW with a competitive position won't be compromised.
Goodyear did close a plant in Tyler, Texas as part of a strategy to get away from making wholesale private label tires and concentrate on its higher end, and more profitable tires. The company has been running it plants with white collar workers and selling inventory.
Robert Keegan: The strike is cash positive initially but we have incurred about $30-35 million a week in lost operating income.
Goodyear has placed its contract offer on its' website so workers can see the details for themselves.
Yesterday the company announced record sales of $5.3 billion for the third quarter but the cost of closing the Texas plant caused a net loss of $43 million. Mark Urycki, 90.3.