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For Immediate Release November 20, 2006
United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) International President Cecil E. Roberts said today that the UMWA supports the United Steelworkers (USW) “100 percent” in their fight to win a fair contract at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.
“Our USW brothers and sisters working at Goodyear are standing up for good jobs and a dignified retirement not just for themselves, but for every American worker, including UMWA members,” Roberts said. “Their fight is our fight. We will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them on the picket lines and wherever else we need to be.”
The USW was forced to strike at Goodyear over six weeks ago after the company reneged on its promise to maintain production at American plants. The USW had made significant concessions to Goodyear in wages, pensions and health care benefits to secure that promise.
“We in the UMWA know what it means for companies to make promises to workers and then try to go back on their word,” Roberts said. “It’s an all-too-familiar pattern of corporate behavior in this day and age. But that does not make it right, and we’re proud to stand with the USW to let this multi-national corporation know that they cannot treat American workers with such disregard.
“It’s especially galling to see Goodyear attempt to walk away from its health care obligations to retirees and their spouses,” Roberts said. “The UMWA has fought for over 60 years for secure health care for retirees, and we believe that no company can be allowed to simply ignore the promises they’ve made to those hard-working people who have given their lives to that company. That’s what Goodyear is trying to do. It’s wrong, and we will happily join the fight against this type of outrageous corporate behavior.”
Roberts has advised UMWA members and retirees to consider avoiding buying Goodyear products until the strike is ove | 
2006 RELEASES AND ADVISORIES
