Tag: unions
U.S. Senator to Goodyear: Workers are ‘tired of this corporate race to the bottom’
The U.S. Senator representing the home state of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has written to the tyre maker, imploring it to improve the renumeration and treatment it gives workers at its plant in San Luis Potosí, Mexico. Sherrod Brown, Senator for Ohio, urged Richard Kramer, Goodyear’s chairman, president and chief executive officer, to “take immediate steps” to improve both. He also criticised Goodyear’s decision to recently prevent Members of the United States Congress from touring the facility.
Kumho plant workers vote for USW representation
US-based industrial union the United Steelworkers reports that it now represents approximately 325 workers at the Kumho Tire factory in Macon, Georgia. The workforce’s status as a bargaining unit comes almost two years after an initial vote on the matter was held.
US lawmakers criticise Goodyear over Mexico factory
A number of US lawmakers have criticized Goodyear Tire & Rubber over its treatment of workers at its San Luis Potosi, Mexico tyre factory in a letter to CEO Richard Kramer. Democratic Representatives Rosa DeLauro, Terri Sewell and Jimmy Gomez signed the letter and complained that their access to the site was limited.
Tom Conway appointed USW international president
Thomas M. Conway has succeeded Leo W. Gerard as international president of the United Steelworkers union (USW). He became the eighth person to hold this position at a ceremony held on 15 July.
Michelin Dundee closure: Scotland’s Economy Secretary convening action group
Scotland’s Finance and Economy Secretary, Derek Mackay, held urgent talks yesterday with trade unions and the management of Michelin Tyre Company Ltd. to discuss the future of the Dundee car tyre plant, following confirmation of Michelin’s intention to close the plant by 2020.
KDB wants a no-strike clause in Kumho/Doublestar deal
Korea Development Bank (KDB), the main creditor of Kumho Tire, has plans to put a no-strike clause in Doublestar’s current bid to buy Kumho.
Kumho Tire – can a Doublestar acquisition still take place?
The Korea Development Bank (KDB) has denied finalising the sale of a 42.01 per cent share in Kumho Tire to Qingdao Doublestar Tire, but that’s exactly what we’d expect it to do until all the ‘i’s are dotted and ‘t’s crossed. Negotiations between Kumho Tire’s creditors and Doublestar recently recommenced, however The Korea Herald has quoted a KDB official as stating “nothing has been finalised.”
Korea Development Bank could halt Kumho restructuring, trigger receivership
Kumho Tire has been attempting to downsize for a possible sale, according to the Korea Times. At the same time, the Korea Development Bank (KDB) is threatening to withdraw support for Kumho Tire unless the tyremaker can agree restructuring terms with its trade unions. And this in turn could trigger receivership.
Further step forward for Michelin’s plan to secure French factories’ future
Michelin aims to increase the flexibility and competitiveness of its tyre factories in France, and French media outlets report that two of the unions representing the company’s La Roche-sur-Yon plant have signed the tyre maker’s ‘Skipper 360’ agreement, which aims to safeguard the facility’s future through the introduction of greater flexibility into how workers’ shifts are arranged.
Pirelli supports apprenticeship charter
Pirelli has announced its support for the Apprenticeship Charter from Unite and TUC. On Thursday 01 October, Pirelli representatives signed the Apprenticeship Charter at the firm’s Carlisle facility in front of members from Unite, TUC and Cogent as well as a selection of current Pirelli apprentices and managers within the engineering, maintenance and quality departments.
Goodyear dissolving agreement with German workforce – a prelude to redundancies or plant closures?
According to Germany’s Osthessen News, Goodyear Dunlop Tires Germany GmbH intends to rescind the contract it holds with 7,500 German employees. The contract, which has been in force for 17 years and renegotiated four times during this period, guaranteed the retention of the company’s seven sites in Germany and protection from business-related redundancies. Ines Sauer, Works Council chair at Goodyear Dunlop’s Fulda facility, told Osthessen News that she and the German operation’s Central Works Council were informed of Goodyear Dunlop’s plans to end the contract late last month.
Statutory negotiations ended at Nokian Tyres
The statutory negotiations at Nokian Tyres’ Finnish factory concerning workers and staff in car tyre production, maintenance and quality departments ended on 9 October 2014. Adjustments to production capacity utilisation as well as cost savings will be achieved mainly with temporary lay-offs and transfers to new positions. In addition, a pension plan for two employees comes into effect.
Euro Car Parts to create 1500 jobs over the next 18 months
Following the collapse of Unipart Automotive last week, competitor and former front-runner in potential rescue talks, Euro Car Parts, has announced that it plans to create 1500 jobs over the next 18 months. The fact that this figure is roughly equivalent to the entire size of the former Unipart Automotive workforce should not be overlooked. Neither should the obvious question – how? With this and the Unipart collapse in mind, what looks clear is that, compare with the first half of this year, the automotive aftermarket will be a significantly different place.
The return of US tyre import tariffs?
The global tyre industry is keeping a watchful eye on the US International Trade Commission, which is set to make a preliminary decision on whether or not to enforce import duties on tyres produced in China. Preliminary arguments for and against this were made before the body on 24 June and since then the US Tire Industry Association (TIA) has also weighed in. However, ITC won’t make its initial ruling till 8 July.
Yokohama signs new labour agreement with steelworkers union
Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Virginia, LLC (YTMV) has signed a new four-year contract with United Steelworkers (USW) Local 1023, according to Tetsuro “Tex” Murakami, president of YTMV, located in Salem, Virginia. “Both parties worked diligently to achieve a contract that is fair and equitable for all involved,” Murakami said, “and it highlights the positive working relationship between the two sides.”