The workers at Mayfield are accustomed to fighting battles under adverse conditions. Although Continental Tire is ceasing tire production at that facility, the United Steelworkers will continue to fight for the rights of their members.

Over the years, employees have worked hard to produce quality tires in a plant starved for capital investment. Now Continental Tire wants to further shirk their obligations to the employees by denying them rights guaranteed under the contract. This is just the latest in a long series of despicable actions taken by this greed-driven corporation.

Steelworkers everywhere stand united with our Brothers and Sisters in Mayfield in demanding that they are treated with the dignity and respect that their work deserves and that their contract guarantees.

Below is a letter addressed to all employees of Mayfield from John Sellers, USW Executive Vice-President of the Rubber/Plastics Industry Conference.

November 19, 2004

Dear Brother and Sisters:

Given your dire concerns over the company’s announcement to cease production at the Mayfield facility, I feel it is necessary to communicate directly with each one of you. Regretfully, unlike past situations, this time the company really intends to stop making tires at the facility.

Like you, I consider this a most unfortunate decision. I know the levels of skill and dedication that your work brings. For years, we have encouraged the company to invest in the Mayfield facility and to provide you with the technology and equipment commensurate with your world class abilities. Instead, it made you work with outdated machinery, then criticized your production in comparison to that of new plants or those with modern equipment and good management.

Months ago, USW International president Leo W. Gerard traveled to Germany to discuss with the company ways to enhance Mayfield’s long-term viability. Unfortunately, his overtures were rejected.

Although the company will cease making tires in Mayfield, your Union will not settle for anything less than a just and fair settlement package for all of our impacted members and their families. We all know that the company intends to maintain only enough of a presence here to deny the vast majority of your rights guaranteed under the plant closure protection language in your contract.

Unquestionably, the company is trying to evade their obligations to you by saying that because it will maintain the plant as a mix center, it is not a closing. The Steelworkers’ position is that when a tire plant no longer produces tires and 70 percent to 80 percent of the workforce loses their jobs, it is, plain and simple, a plant closing. If the company does not agree to treat it as such, we will press for an expedited arbitration to resolve the issue.

Your International union remains very much focused on the events in Mayfield and is totally committed to fighting for your rights.

I remain in contact with your local union president, Terry Beane, pretty much on a daily basis. Our legal department is very much engaged in your situation and we have assigned a lawyer, Mose Lewis, and a specialist in effects bargaining, Cary Burnell, to work directly with your committee. Joe Villines, a staff representative from District 8 is also lending his assistance.

We are not going to give up this fight! Too many of you have worked long and hard for your pension and insurance benefits and you deserve to be treated with the utmost dignity and respect.

In solidarity,
John Sellers