12 April, 2007March 19 – 20, 2007 in Akron, Ohio, USA
We, the 50 delegates from 12 countries representing trade unions with members employed by Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, are gathered here as part of our unions’ ongoing commitment to achieve justice for workers at Goodyear worldwide.
The Goodyear Global Union Network was established at a meeting in Cleveland, Ohio in March 1999 for the mutual defense and advancement of Goodyear workers everywhere. Since that time, the Network has played an important role in bringing Goodyear workers and the unions that represent them closer together.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has in recent years continued to expand and globalize its operations. This transnational corporation produced 2006 net sales of approximately US$20 billion and manufactures products in 28 countries.
Given Goodyear’s increasing size and global scope, it is important that unions participating in the Goodyear Global Union Network recommit their efforts to secure and promote the rights for all workers worldwide at Goodyear. As part of those efforts, we pledge to increase the effective functioning of the Network steering committee and to expand and improve Network communications.
Having reviewed our recent activities and collaboration, we examined Goodyear current status and future strategies. Every participating union provided detailed overviews of the current economic climate in their homeland and the working conditions at their particular Goodyear facility(ies).
A particular attention was given to a global agreement with Goodyear management, beginning immediately with Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental issues.
Structurally the meeting procedurally modified the rules that govern the coordinated activities of the Network. A new Steering Committee was selected and will be headed by USW International Vice-President Tom Conway.
Among the situations examined was the long-standing problem in Thailand where many workers are denied collective bargaining rights and union activists are routinely dismissed. Anan Phonung, the elected union president detailed these situations as well as the very questionable circumstances that led to his firing. The Network strongly voiced its support of Phonung and called for his being properly restored to his position at the plant.
Other actions by the Network included recognition of three recently deceased members of the Goodyear Network. They are George Becker, former USW International President and Founder of the Goodyear Global Network, Dick Davis, former USW International Vice-President and first Chairman of the Steering Committee, and Bernard Kleiman, former USW General Counsel and Special Advisor to the Goodyear Global Network.
An extensive discussion of the recent negotiations in the U.S. and Canada was conducted and the Solidarity of the membership in both countries was applauded for enduring an 86-day strike and winning new contracts.
The Network discussed upcoming negotiations in different countries such as South Africa and Turkey and issued statements of strong support and Solidarity.