Goodyear Strike Ends

86-day strike over - boycott ended

The strike against Goodyear Tire and Rubber by 15,000 United Steelworkers' (USW) members that began on October 2 came to a successful conclusion at the end of 2006. USW Canadian National Director Ken Neumann acknowledged the importance of the widespread support the workers received in helping to bring about a settlement.

"The solidarity and commitment of working people, not just in our union, but across the country, made it possible to settle this 86-day strike," said Neumann. "We have shown that companies that seek to destroy generations of progress for the people who produce the goods that create wealth in North America will be challenged and pushed back."

Neumann said the USW is grateful for the support that came from other unions, such as the Communication, Energy and Paperworkers (CEP) and the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW).

"As well, the Canadian Labour Congress showed tremendous support for the principles involved in this strike", Neumann added. "Support also came from federations of labour across the country. Our members and staff were out every weekend in November and December informing consumers about the boycott and the central issue of saving Canadian jobs."

The settlement that brought the strike and boycott to an end provides better security in terms of preventing Goodyear from exporting production and jobs. In Canada, the affected Goodyear plants were in Owen Sound, Collingwood, and Toronto.