Union to host meeting on Goodyear's efficiency

Madison Messenger, February 4, 2009

United Steelworkers Local 831 members will meet for the second time in less than two weeks Monday to discuss ways of reducing inventory to keep Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.’s Danville plant operating efficiently, according to the union’s Web site.

Members of the union’s bargaining committee met with local and corporate management on Monday to talk about the future of the Danville plant.

Akron, Ohio-based Goodyear said Tuesday it would be announcing cost-cutting plans Feb. 18, when it releases its fourth-quarter and full-year earnings for 2008.

Danville Goodyear employees who produce truck tires are currently on the second of three weeklong furloughs the company announced in December. The last furlough is scheduled to take place Feb. 21-28.

A posting on Local 831’s Web site reads: “It is evident that the partial weeks out are not effectively reducing inventories. Meetings are scheduled for next week beginning Monday, Feb. 9th to discuss other options on how to best reduce the inventory and continue to operate the Danville plant efficiently.”

Representatives of the union either could not be reached Wednesday or refused to comment on the meetings. Jo Andrews, communications manager at Goodyear’s Danville plant, said Wednesday she couldn’t share any details about the company’s plans.

Goodyear, the city’s largest employer, employs more than 2,000 workers.