The history of the united rubber workers - USW Local 12

THE HISTORY OF THE

UNITED RUBBER WORKERS/ UNITED STEELWORKERS IN GADSDEN, ALABAMA 1933 ? 2015

110 HOKE STREET EAST GADSDEN, ALABAMA

The History of The

United Rubber Workers ? United Steelworkers in

Gadsden, Alabama 1933-2015

By Gene Howard ? 1933-1983

The continuation of the history of The United Rubber Workers/ United Steelworkers Local 12 in Gadsden,

Alabama, 1983-2015

David Hayes, Local 12L President

Mickey Williams, former Local 12L President (retired)

Troy Word, former Local 12L Executive Board Member (retired)

INFORMATION TIMELINE 1933-2014

1933 New labor organization chartered in Gadsden

1935 E. L. Gray arrested. First URW convention President Roosevelt asked Alabama Governor to restore the American Bill of Rights in Gadsden

1938 Union members walked out of plant demanding protection from violence

1940 NLRB ruled against Goodyear

1943 URW wins election First contract ? August 25, 1943

1945 4,000 worked at Goodyear

1947 First company-wide contract (Master Agreement)

1951 Family Savings Credit Union established

1952 Local 12 union hall built. Christmas party for exceptional children began. First one was held at Elliott Community Center

1954 First nationwide strike. First Pension, Insurance and Service Award Agreement won by Union.

1960 B&C Tire Organized

1967 Supplemental Unemployment Benefits (SUB) was negotiated

1970 Prescription Drug benefit was negotiated

1971 Division Chairman selection was changed from appointed to elected.

1973 Preferential Hiring was negotiated

Prescription Drug benefit negotiated for future retirees

1974 Prescription drugs extended to all retirees

1976 Longest nationwide strike in URW history. 60,000 URW members on strike COLA was negotiated. President E. L. Hayes negotiated massive expansion that brought radial tires to Gadsden

1979 Union wins "Shift Preference" language Chiropractic care negotiated

1983 First local union picnic (40th Anniversary) Local 12 Food Bank established for laid off members

1984 Continuous operations implemented (F Plan)

1985 Family Savings Credit Union organized E. K. Bowers Scholarship started Joint Process implemented

1986 Boaz Concessionary Agreement became effective April 20, 1987.

1987 Goodyear Medical Center opened

1988 Bias tire production reduced

1989 Tube plant shut down

1990 More bias tire production was idled resulting in 430 furloughs.

1991 Flaps Production shutdown.

1992 Final bias tire built. Radial light truck expansion completed. In April membership approved the 12-hour continuous operation Light truck radial production began

1993 50th Anniversary picnic

1994 Personal protective equipment negotiated. Fisher Industry organized A second vote was held at a membership meeting to determine if membership wished to change from 12-hour continuous to another continuous plan. Membership voted "no change". Goodyear hires production employees for first time in five (5) years "War of 94" in Rubber Industry Gadsden Local 12L issued negative vote on Master Agreement. Informational pickets at Local Union Headquarters Bridgestone/Firestone, General, Dunlop/Sumitomo, Yokahoma and others on strike. Striker replacements used at many locations.

1995 Goodyear Warehouse closed. URW merged with USWA (June 30, July 1 and 2, 1995). Local 12 change to Local 12L as part of the merger changes

1997 Goodyear Local 12L on 3-week company-wide strike Lead Hand Concept and Daywork Bonus System introduced into the local Goodyear Labor Agreement. Retirees Christmas party began.

1998 Bladder and sleeves operation shut down

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