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19 September, 2005ICEM News Release 17/1999
Tyre and rubber unions from sixteen countries on five continents - all representing workers employed at tyre and rubber multinational Goodyear - today formed a global network of unions "for our mutual defence and advancement."
The unions establishing the network met today in Cleveland, USA. They are from Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Germany, Guatemala, Japan, Malaysia, Morocco, Slovenia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and Venezuela. At the global level, they are affiliated to the 20-million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM).
The unions set up a formal steering committee for the network and elected Richard Davis, Vice President for Administration of the United Steelworkers of America (USWA), as its chairman.
The USWA organises American tyre workers, and Davis is the union's chief negotiator with Goodyear in the United States.
"The creation of this network is an historic first step to build worker solidarity across borders in one multinational corporation," said Davis.
"When we heard reports about Goodyear operations and labour relations in the different countries, we found we had a lot in common with each other and needed to work together for a common agenda."
Goodyear has operations in 29 countries. In 1998, Goodyear earned profits of 682.3 million US dollars on revenues of 12.6 billion.
Globally, the company employs approximately 95,000 people.
The company recently concluded a joint venture agreement with Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. which, when it becomes effective, will make Goodyear the largest tyre company in the world.
The unions agreed to make worker health and safety a first priority for the network, following reports of wide discrepancies in conditions at Goodyear facilities in different parts of the world.
"Is a worker's life in Malaysia worth any less than a worker's life in the United States or the United Kingdom?" asked USWA President George Becker, who chaired today's meeting. "Of course, it is not, and we have to work together to ensure that Goodyear adheres to the highest possible standards no matter where it does business."
Becker chairs the ICEM's rubber industry section.
The unions agreed to create a database on Goodyear's operations and working conditions. They will assist each other during collective bargaining negotiations and disputes with Goodyear when they arise, and will support efforts to organise the company's non-union facilities.