CBS19.tv, July 18, 2008
UNION MEMBERS VOTE TODAY TO RATIFY THEIR CONTRACT WITH GOODYEAR SO THE TIRE GIANT CAN SHUT DOWN
CBS 19'S MICHELE REESE JOINS
DURING THREE DIFFERENT VOTING MEETINGS TODAY... UNION MEMBERS VOTED TO ACCEPT GOODYEAR'S PROPOSAL TO SHUT THE PLANT DOWN EARLY......
WORKERS WE SPOKE WITH ....SAY WHILE IT WAS A TOUGH DECISION...GOODYEAR MADE A DEAL THAT WAS TOUGH TO PASS UP.
AT 7 O'CLOCK THIS MORNING...
"Its a real sad feeling."
WORKERS LIKE KEITH GOODMAN...FILED IN TO THE LOCAL STEELWORKERS UNION HALL TO VOTE TO CLOSE A PLANT..SO MANY FOUGHT SO HARD TO SAVE...
"Spending so many years in a place and to go out is a disappointing feeling."
"It's hard for me to let go.."
MARCUS HOWARD SAYS WHILE IT'S DIFFICULT CHECKING YES ON THE BALLOT...
AFTER HEARING GOODYEAR'S DEAL... IT DIDN'T MAKE SENSE TO SAY NO...
"It was sweet. Can't turn that down.It would be stupid to vote no."
MOST OTHER WORKERS AGREED..
"They say here and told us they were gonna close it down so I voted yes if we voted no we might come up empty handed."
"It was a real good deal.. Some people benefited better than others but we got all in all with the unions help negotiating everybody got a real good package out of it."
THE DEAL INCLUDES A PAYMENT FOR EACH YEAR OF SERVICE TO THE PLANT...
....AND WILL BE PAID IN A LUMP SUM.
"They had to buy us off and they did a good job..they opened up their checkbook."
"Probably the best way to get out of here so people can get on with their lives.."
SO AS UNION MEMBERS SAY "Goodbye to Goodyear.."
WHEN THE PLANT WILL CLOSE FOR GOOD IS STILL UP THE AIR..
UNION PRESIDENT HAROLD SWEAT SAYS TODAYS VOTE GIVES GOODYEAR THE CHANCE TO CLOSE THE PLANT AS EARLY AS TOMORROW IF THEY WANT..
BUT GOODYEAR HAS STILL NOT GIVEN AN OFFICIAL CLOSURE DATE..
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