thedrifter
12-14-06, 03:22 PM
December 14, 2006
Strike threatens Humvee tire supply
By Kimberly Johnson
Staff writer
An ongoing labor strike at a Goodyear tire plant in Topeka, Kan., is threatening the military’s supply of Humvee tires, according to a top House lawmaker.
Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., outgoing chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, on Wednesday urged plant management and the 1,275 United Steelworkers on strike at the Topeka facility — the sole producer of the tires — to hammer out an agreement that would bring union workers back.
Salaried workers in Topeka are keeping the tire plant operational since the strike began in early October, but production has dipped 35 percent, Hunter said Wednesday. Now, he added, the military is facing a potential Humvee tire shortage.
The committee chief said he had personally contacted the heads of the union and tire manufacturer, suggesting the workers continue to receive the current compensation while labor negotiations continue.
“In the interest of American security, I am optimistic that both parties will cooperate to solve this situation expeditiously,” Hunter said. If not, defense officials may consider means that would force workers back to work, such as issuing an injunction under the Taft-Hartley Act.
The strike of 12,000 United Steelworkers members at a dozen Goodyear plants across the U.S. has cut the company’s production by half, said Goodyear spokesman Ed Markey. “We are currently making tires using our salaried workers and temporary hires and those who have chosen to come back to work,” he said.
The labor group says it wants the tire manufacturer to improve health care obligations for workers. “It’s also obvious that the company is producing very little without our members,” said Ron Hoover, United Steelworkers executive vice president.
Ellie
Strike threatens Humvee tire supply
By Kimberly Johnson
Staff writer
An ongoing labor strike at a Goodyear tire plant in Topeka, Kan., is threatening the military’s supply of Humvee tires, according to a top House lawmaker.
Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., outgoing chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, on Wednesday urged plant management and the 1,275 United Steelworkers on strike at the Topeka facility — the sole producer of the tires — to hammer out an agreement that would bring union workers back.
Salaried workers in Topeka are keeping the tire plant operational since the strike began in early October, but production has dipped 35 percent, Hunter said Wednesday. Now, he added, the military is facing a potential Humvee tire shortage.
The committee chief said he had personally contacted the heads of the union and tire manufacturer, suggesting the workers continue to receive the current compensation while labor negotiations continue.
“In the interest of American security, I am optimistic that both parties will cooperate to solve this situation expeditiously,” Hunter said. If not, defense officials may consider means that would force workers back to work, such as issuing an injunction under the Taft-Hartley Act.
The strike of 12,000 United Steelworkers members at a dozen Goodyear plants across the U.S. has cut the company’s production by half, said Goodyear spokesman Ed Markey. “We are currently making tires using our salaried workers and temporary hires and those who have chosen to come back to work,” he said.
The labor group says it wants the tire manufacturer to improve health care obligations for workers. “It’s also obvious that the company is producing very little without our members,” said Ron Hoover, United Steelworkers executive vice president.
Ellie