The U.S. rubber sector is a leading example of how strong trade enforcement can lead to domestic investment, maintain domestic manufacturing prowess, and defend jobs. Since 2010, USW has led or participated in multiple trade actions that have aided the domestic industry and its workers. The union primarily does this through anti-dumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) petitions that go before the International Trade Commission and the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (DOC-ITA). Here is a brief timeline of trade cases USW won against bad actors:

a.   2010 – USW successfully used the 421-trade petition process against producers in the People’s Republic of China. This became the only successful 421 petition before the provisions expired. The safeguard pressed back against Chinese produced passenger vehicle and light truck (PVLT) tires for three years.[1]

b.   2014 – USW filed and won an AD/CVD trade case against the People’s Republic of China on PVLT tires. After the expiration of the 421 safeguard, China tried to illegally pump 50 million tires into the U.S. market in order to kill the domestic tire industry. The union filed a traditional trade petition, and won, after showing economic harm to the domestic industry.[2]

c.   2016 – USW filed a complaint alleging that China improperly dumped and subsidized bus and truck tires. Initially, the case failed at the ITC, but the union appealed to the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT), and the decision was reversed in 2018. This defended thousands of bus and truck tire workers.[3]

d.   2017 – USW and Titan Tire partnered on an AD/CVD petition against Sri Lanka and India. This petition ultimately succeeded in defending against dumped and illegally subsidized tires from the two countries.[4]

e.    2021 – USW, seeing a rise in tire imports from four new countries (Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, and Korea), filed another trade petition to defend U.S. tire workers. Again, the union prevailed against international producers. USW also successfully won the first currency subsidy petition ever in this trade case.[5]  

[1] USTR - United States Prevails in WTO Section 421 Safeguard Dispute with China, December 13, 2010.

[2] ITC - USITC Votes to Continue Cases on Certain Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires from China, July 22, 2014.

[3] ITC - Truck and Bus Tires from China - Investigation Nos. 701-TA-556 and 731-TA-1311 (Final) (Remand), April 2019.

[4] ITC - Certain New Pneumatic Off-the-Road Tires from India and Sri Lanka, March 2017.

[5] USW - USW Applauds ITC's Final Determination on PVLT Tires from Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam, June 23, 2021.

The Generalized System Preferences (GSP) program, a tariff reduction program originally designed to help economically developing countries, has unfortunately been abused by multi-national tire companies. After the USW has proved injury to the domestic tire industry multiple times it is time to remove tires from this tariff preference program and add them to the import sensitive list.  

USW strongly supported the Inflation Reduction Act’s funding for investments in industrial facilities, including $6.3 billion being distributed by the Department of Energy for energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction in manufacturing.[1] USW continues to support our employers’ applications for proposed projects at USW-represented facilities that will provide job security.

[1] DOE - Biden-Harris Administration Announces $6 Billion to Drastically Reduce Industrial Emissions and Create Healthier Communities, March 8, 2023.

In 2017, workers at Kumho tire wanted to join the USW but the company ran an aggressive anti-union campaign. USW was forced to file over thirty unfair labor practice (ULP) charges, and when a worker was illegally fired for union organizing, USW brought workers to Washington, DC to fight back. Former Kumho worker Mario Smith and Joe Patterson from local 572 in Macon, Georgia educated members of Congress on the anti-union tactics being deployed by Kumho.[1] USW worked with local and national elected leaders to urge the company to follow the law. A second election, and years of bargaining, led to the first new union tire plant in over forty years.[2]

[1] USW - USW fights for "Freedom to Negotiate" Act, end to firings in organizing drives, September 28, 2018.

[2] USW - USW Members Ratify Four-Year First Contract at Kumho Tire, August 10, 2023.

The American Rescue Plan Act provided many needed resources to help struggling workers and communities across the nation during the COVID pandemic. One of the legislation’s most significant provisions was the Butch Lewis Act, which provided relief to multiemployer pensions that were in distress from unfair trade, financial crisis, and other factors – such as the PACE Industry Union-Management Pension Fund (PIUMPF) and the National Integrated Group Pension Plan (NIGPP).[1]

[1] Forbes - How the American Rescue Plan Act Will Help More Than a Million Retirees and Workers, March 12, 2021.

USW remains committed to advocating for the passage of the PRO Act, which would strengthen the rights of workers to freely and fairly form a union and bargain together for changes in the workplace.[1] The enactment of the PRO Act is critical to build union density and worker power as new non-union tire plants have come online. The PRO Act has passed both the House of Representatives in the last two Congresses, but has been bottled up in the U.S. Senate.

[1] AFL-CIO - What is the PRO Act?, Accessed August 22, 2023.

Goodyear has agreed to remain neutral throughout this process.text goes here

You can participate in union activities without fear of punishment or intimidation. Goodyear recognizes your right to unionize is your choice.

If more than 50% of employees sign union cards, Goodyear will recognize USW as your union without requiring a vote.

We’ll distribute union cards at work. The sooner you sign, the sooner you will reach your goal of unionizing your workplace!

Over the coming weeks, we’ll share information through leaflets, emails, and lunchroom visits. You’re welcome to contact us directly if you have questions or prefer a home visit for a private one-on-one conversation.

Talk to your coworkers about why unionizing is important and encourage them to join the campaign.

USW offers specialized training programs to assist members in understanding and navigating the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) processes. For instance, the WSIB Level 4 Return-to-Work training program equips members with the necessary skills to advocate effectively for workers during return-to-work situations.  In addition, WSIB advocates can assist you with submitting claims to WSIB after an injury so you can focus on getting well again.

USW provides a variety of educational courses aimed at empowering members with skills in areas such as health and safety, collective bargaining, workers' compensation, and leadership. The 2025 District 6 Education Course Calendar includes courses like 'Stewards in Action,' 'Health and Safety – Level I,' and 'Bargaining to Win.'

USW offers several scholarships to support the educational pursuits of members and their families. In District 6, scholarships include the Indigenous Scholarships, Leadership Development Scholarship Program, USW Post-Secondary Scholarship, Norma Berti Education Scholarship, Peter Leibovitch Scholarship, and Pat Hinchey Scholarship. The application deadline for these scholarships is typically June 30.

USW is committed to ensuring the well-being of its members by providing comprehensive health and safety training. Courses such as 'Health and Safety – Level I' offer a general understanding of occupational health and safety, including hazard awareness and principles for controlling exposure. These programs are designed to empower workers and their representatives to maintain safe working environments.  Our Health and Safety certification is recognized province wide.

USW provides support in understanding and managing pension-related matters. Members can access resources and assistance to navigate pension plans, ensuring they receive the benefits to which they are entitled.

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