Representatives from Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and the United Steelworkers (USW) kicked off labor contract talks on June 8. Goodyear Chief Operating Office Rich Kramer addressed the union on "opening day."
"I believe our new agreement will be a reflection of our shared interests and our mutual desire to make Goodyear the best performing tire company in North America and the model for success in these uncertain times -- a model others will look to as an example of how to win with manufacturing right here at home," he said.
"Our future together won't look like the past. Our present doesn't even look like the past. But our vision should be the same. The goal of this negotiation is to reach an agreement that is consistent with the new realities of our industry and outlines the actions that we -- Goodyear and the USW, under one banner -- must take to win."
Kramer also is president of Goodyear's North American Tire business.
Both parties exchanged proposals, but did not meet further yesterday.
