Cohen: 'Goodyear Fight Is Our Fight'

December 8, 2006

The battle for health care and good jobs at Goodyear, whose manufacturing workers have been on strike for more than two months, is a call to arms for all union members, CWA President Larry Cohen said.

Cohen has asked CWA staff, and is urging members across the country, to take part with the United Steelworkers and other AFL-CIO unions in leafleting Goodyear tire centers on Saturday, Dec. 16. He said Goodyear's attempt to cut health care benefits for retirees should be of enormous concern to everyone.

Go to http://www.cwa-union.org/action/goodyear/ for details on locations where labor is leafleting on Dec. 16.

"This is a fight for all of us in the labor movement," he said. "The time to stand up to this corporate attack is now. This fight is our fight. Saving retiree health care at Goodyear is the first step to saving health care for our members too. At key times like this, we can make a real difference."

About 15,000 employees at more than a dozen Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. plants in the United States and Canada began the walkout Oct. 5 to in a fight to save their jobs and protect health care coverage for current workers and retirees.

In 2003, Goodyear closed its Huntsville, Ala., plant leaving 1,200 workers unemployed and now another 1,100 face job losses as the company prepares to shut down another plant in Tyler, Texas.

Meanwhile, Goodyear has invested more than $150 million since 2004 in overseas production, including China and Colombia. "Despite its flag-waving rhetoric, Goodyear's performance reveals a company that is turning its back on its country and on communities all across North America," Steelworkers President Leo Gerard wrote in a recent column. "Goodyear's attitude is especially galling after workers agreed to sacrifices in 2003 that pulled the company back from the brink of bankruptcy."

Those sacrifices included agreeing to the Huntsville closure and taking wage, pension and benefit cuts. But rather than let workers share in last year's $228 million in after-tax profits, Gerard said Goodyear is demanding more concessions.

Gerard said Goodyear is taking not just an anti-worker position but an anti-American one "by financing manufacturing in countries where health care is subsidized but workers' rights are brutally repressed. Instead of demanding cuts to employee and retiree health care benefits, Goodyear should be working with the USW and the newly elected Congress to secure universal health care, which would lower costs for employers and employees while improving the health of all Americans."

The AFL-CIO, which is calling for the Dec. 16 "Day of Action," is urging America's working families to boycott Goodyear products and services during the strike. Unions will also encourage employers who use Goodyear tires and equipment for their fleets to stop "until such a time as Goodyear relents in its unconscionable demands and shameless hypocrisy and reaches a reasonable and equitable agreement with the United Steelworkers."

More details about the Goodyear strike are available from the Steelworkers at www.usw.org.

WATERFORD REORG - AGAIN

Updated On: Sep 20, 2007 (22:12:00)

Organizational Announcement – Americas Operations

The transition to Momentive presents our business with many changes and opportunities as we continue to evolve into an independent company. To best support the business, General Manager for Americas Operations Pat O’Donnell is exceptionally pleased to announce a new Americas Operations team that will ensure our commitment to EHS, quality, excellent service and innovative products is paramount. Additionally we need to continue to drive stability and productivity into our processes. Effective Monday, September 17, this new team will take on Americas Operations responsibilities while focusing on results and teamwork. We are exceptionally pleased to have them join the Americas Operations team. Each adds their unique experience, talent and a wealth of knowledge to the team. Please congratulate them on their new roles.

Mike Foley has been promoted to Americas Supply Chain Manager. He will be responsible for traditional supply chain operations which will now include customer service and commercial planning.

Mike has a great manufacturing and supply chain background and most recently was the Finishing Operations Manager in Waterford. He previously served as Americas Supply Chain Manager, Master Black Belt, Operations Manager – Waste Treatment and Health & Safety Manager, as well as other leadership positions. Mike joined the business in 1996.

Mike earned both his master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering from RPI. He holds an associate’s degree in math from Hudson Valley Community College. Mike is a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt and has earned numerous management, manufacturing and leadership awards.

Congratulations to Nicki Boucher who has been promoted to Chem Ops Manager. Nicki replaces Mike Stalker who is moving to Technology. Nicki will be responsible for MCS, MECl Siloxane, WWTP, Utilities, Maintenance and Site Services and Investment Planning for the site.

Nicki has held a variety of leadership positions and brings a wealth of experience in operations and manufacturing, most recently as Global Investment / Productivity Leader. She previously served as Global Ops Manager - Core Products, MCS Operations Manager and Maintenance/Site Services Manager. Nicki has also held a variety of Six Sigma and engineering roles. Nicki joined the company in 1995.

Nicki earned two master’s degrees – materials science and engineering from RPI, and chemical engineering from Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Laval University.

Josh Spain is promoted to Finishing Operations Manager in Waterford. Josh replaces Mike Foley and will be responsible for all Finishing Operations at Waterford.

Josh has an impressive manufacturing background, most recently as Manager of Global Operations – Elastomers. He previously served as Operations Manager for Sealants and Adhesives, Resins and Specialties, and Fluids and Emulsions. Josh also has a strong quality background as a Six Sigma Black Belt / Production Engineer. Josh joined the Silicones business in 1994 after serving as an Engineering Intern.

Josh holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from RPI.

Bob McQueeney has been named Manufacturing Manager. In this newly created position, Bob will be responsible for operations in Garret, IN; Chino, CA; Euless, TX; New Smyrna Beach, FL; Pickering, Ontario and dotted line responsibilities for Itatiba, Brazil.

Bob’s experience in operations, manufacturing, E-business, engineering and product development make him the ideal choice for this position. Bob most recently was the AMR Supply Chain & Customer Service Manager. He previously served as Global Operations Manager, Americas SAP Leader, and held management positions in operations, production and engineering. He began his Silicones career in 1988.

Bob holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Cincinnati.

Karen Morris has been named Americas Manager of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS). Karen replaces Dave Roberts who will move to a Global Health & Safety Leadership role. In this role, Karen will lead all aspects of environmental, health, and safety for the Americas ensuring that we continue with strong compliance and overall EHS performance.

Most recently Karen has been the Global EHS Manager where she has put together a great team and established a corporate EHS group. She previously served as a Global Energy Black Belt where she led multiple productivity and energy savings efforts. Karen joined our Waterford site in 2002 as the Environmental Program Manager and over the past 5 years has been a key leader on the EHS team. Karen has been instrumental in the dramatic improvement in relations with the state Department of Environmental Conservation and improvement in the site’s environmental performance.

Karen earned a master’s degree in environmental engineering from Cornell University and holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Duke University. She is a qualified health, safety and environmental auditor.

John Robison will remain Site Manager of the Sistersville, WV plant and report to Pat O’Donnell.

Dave Gross, Americas Sourcing Manager, and the Sourcing team will now report to Pat O’Donnell.

Anel Smith, Americas Manufacturing Finance Manager, will continue reporting to Scott Rajeski and provide finance support to Pat O’Donnell.

Karen Gomez, Americas Manufacturing HR Manager, will continue reporting to Alex Greenberg and provide HR support to Pat O’Donnell.

Please join me in congratulating the team. I ask for your support in assisting for a smooth transition.

Thanks,

Pat

The following information is available:

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