September 8, 2006

Goodyear negotiators met with the Steelworkers bargaining committee on Sept. 7 to discuss the current status of negotiations. Jim Allen, Goodyear's chief negotiator, reiterated the Company's need to achieve a contract that does not place Goodyear at a competitive disadvantage.

Allen reminded the USW negotiators that they failed to maintain an industry pattern agreement in 2003 when Goodyear was the target. Accordingly, it's important for Goodyear to see the Union 's agreement with Bridgestone/Firestone before bringing Goodyear's 2006 round of bargaining to closure.