Divided we Fall

Hello Brothers and Sisters,

Our Union has endured one of the toughest periods in our Locals history. We are facing a pandemic that has affected every member of our Local.  We’re dealing with social, economic, emotional and health challenges due to the Covid-19 virus.  We’ve had several members who needed to be hospitalized from its effects.  A few members have even reported the loss of family members from complications related to the virus. We ask that these members and their families continue to be placed in our prayers.

Due to Governor Coopers executive order that has been extended through September 14th we are still unable to hold monthly Union meetings. The executive board did meet via teleconference on 8/25/2020 to handle business including the unfortunate cancellation of our Annual Labor Day Picnic.  We simply cannot meet the Governors mandate and do any of the normal activities.

During the last several months since our members returned to work following the layoff, we have been pressured to maintain production levels despite being short of labor due to both members being affected by the virus and the labor shortages we already had.

We have had a Sub Over-payment Recovery. The Sub Fund is paid entirely by Goodyear per the negotiated Sub agreement. The Company wanted the over-payment returned but did not send the individuals involved notice of how much they were overpaid.  The Union has grieved the actions of the company. The Union’s position is that they needed to send every employee documentation with calculations for payments.

The Company has now decided to enforce a policy that puts a halt to employees wearing political attire.  The Union met with the company to stop the plans of enforcing the policy. The Union believes that respecting employees who choose to express their passions for their Religion, Culture, Country, State, Union, Politics and even their favorite sport teams was a common courtesy and should continue.

Our Union Safety team have worked hard to keep sanitary station’s stocked and keeping areas cleaned.  They are trying to keep things consistently up to CDC standards.

We continue to operate the Union Hall and Benefits office despite challenges from Covid.  The business of the Local continues to be done.

There are many problems that we are going to have to overcome to be successful today and in the coming months.  Some things we cannot foresee, but others are within our sights.  We will get through these problems, but we must remember that we are much stronger united than divided.

Solidarity Matters!

Terry Brewington

President, USW Local 959

From the President

Hello Brothers and Sisters,

The Company has informed the Union that they plan to ramp up the ticket to 23600 tires by June 15th. The exact number of members that the Company says are needed to achieve this ticket demand has changed several times since the announcement (twice in the last two days).  The majority, but not all, of our members will return in the next few weeks. Those members who continue to stay out shall receive Sub Pay if Unemployment Benefits are exhausted.

If you have questions about any of this, please call your Division Chairman or the Union Hall.

 The Easter and Memorial Day Holidays are planned to be paid out upon return. Insurance payments that are in arrears are being repaid by doubling the premium payments.

Currently, we know of five confirmed positive cases, four Goodyear employees and one contractor. Please keep the people who tested positive in your prayers and join in our hope that this pandemic may soon end with as minimal an effect upon us as possible.

These are historic times that we are in, but I know our members. USW Local 959 will continue to rise to the challenges ahead as we navigate through this together.

God Bless,

Terry Brewington

USW 959L President

terry.brewington@uswlocal959.com

910-822-1906

Information About Coronavirus

Everyone is anxious about the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak and what it means for ourselves and our families as well as our communities and livelihood. If and when information is available about the operation of the plant, it will be posted.

We wanted to let everyone know that a rumor about someone’s spouse being confirmed infected with the virus is false. This has been confirmed with plant management and was communicated to the Union leadership.

As the situation with Goodyear and everything else is fluid, and subject to change at anytime, we encourage you to watch for updates and keep in mind that rumors are usually just that, rumors.

Update: Governor orders schools closed and bans mass gatherings….

But does not include factories.

https://governor.nc.gov/news/governor-cooper-issues-executive-order-closing-k-12-public-schools-and-banning-gatherings-more

Update: Wed, March 18, 2020 9:45 AM …. More rumors about people in plant. As of this time there are no known cases involving the plant.

The plant is operating with “Business as Usual”. Any changes will be posted just as fast as we are told of them.

Update: Wed, March 18, 2020 11:45 AM…… The Company is now formulating a plan to have some sort of staggered shutdown. We do not have any information other than that at this time. Will post as soon as we are told anything else.