Dunlop Faces Possible Union Strike here in USA

Closure Looms for two Goodyear/Dunlop Tire Plants and has resulted in a possible strike after Goodyear/Dunlop officials recently announced plans to close down the two major US Tire Plants in Tyler, Texas and Gadsden, Alabama. Sparking an intense negative reaction by workers and union leaders.

Current Situation

The primary obstacle in negotiations in Cincinnati between Goodyear (Dunlop) officials and the United Steelworkers union revolves around the company's desire to close plants in Tyler and Gadsden, Ala., union representatives in both cities said. The strike could start as early as 10-5-06 Thursday afternoon. 

Texas Plant Situation

The Tyler plant for example, has slightly more than 1,000 workers, about 960 represented by the union. A three-year contract expired July 22, and workers have stayed on the job since then under a day-to-day extension that either side could terminate with three days' notice. Union officials gave that notice Monday.  A plant closure would be a severe blow to the economy of this East Texas town of 100,000 residents about 90 miles east of Dallas, said Tom Mullins, president of the Tyler Economic Development Council.

Effects of closing US based Texas Plant

The Goodyear/Dunlop plant has a $948 million annual economic impact and generates $10.5 million in taxes for the city and nearby taxing districts, according to a study commissioned by the council. The plant's annual payroll is about $70 million, Mullins said. "Closing the plant would slow this economy down for a couple of years," Mullins said. "It would take a while to recover from all that lost economic activity."

Mullins said the city, and business community is working to generate economic development incentives for Goodyear/Dunlop so it can keep the plant open. So far, it has earmarked $1.5 million to help keep the plant open and is seeking state help as well, Mullins said.

Two Possible Plant Closures

The possible closure of (Dunlop) Goodyear Tire & Rubber Plant in Tyler, Texas and Gadsden, Alabama, is among the sticking points in union labor negotiations. That could lead to a nationwide strike of some 14,000 Goodyear/Dunlop employees this week that would have a negative affect on motorcycle and automobile tire availability everywhere, union officials said on Tuesday Nov 3rd, 2006.

Dunlop Goldwing Tire Situation Today

We have seen a severe nationwide shortage this past year on GL1800 Dunlop Elite 3 Honda Goldwing Tires, if they go on strike it will get worse, keep in mind we do have plenty of GL1500 tires in stock right now. As of today, GL1800 Goldwing Honda Motorcycle Tires by Dunlop are still back ordered nationwide from everyone.  Wingstuff.com has been recieving shipments of GL1800 tires from Dunlop recently and we continue to fill our customer back orders by the oldest first and moving forward to more recent orders.

Need GL1800 Goldwing Tires

Advice, If you need GL1800 tires now, call Gary at Wingstuff.com, he can help you find another brand so you can safely continue riding your bike, DO NOT ride on bad tires!!.  If you can wait for Dunlop Elite 3 GL1800 tires, I urge you to back order them with us now, we will get you a pair when we get to you by order date.  You'll be contacted before shipping to verify you still want them. If you wait, you WILL NOT find them in the near future no matter what happens with Dunlop.  Keep checking back for all the Latest Goldwing News & Events Worldwide as it unfolds on our GoldWing Worldwide News Blog found here on Wingstuff.com.

Rick Arnoldo

President - Wingstuff.com