Better Join a Union ! Someone needs to Represent YOU.

Tire Trade Group Paid Lobbyist $100K

July 18, 11:55 am ET

Rubber Tire Trade Group Paid Compass Consulting $100,000 in 2006 to Lobby Government...
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Rubber Manufacturers Association paid Compass Consulting Group $100,000 in the second half of 2006 to lobby the federal government, according to a disclosure form. The firm lobbied on failed congressional legislation intended to educate consumers about tires and fuel efficiency, according to the form posted online Friday by the Senate's public records office. Chemtura Corp., Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and Carlisle Cos. Inc. are among the 87 companies that are members of the trade group. Under a federal law enacted in 1995, lobbyists are required to disclose activities that could influence members of the executive and legislative branches. They must register with Congress within 45 days of being hired or engaging in lobbying.

Editorial : And you think you do not need a UNION, better Think Again !

Nitrogen in Tires...for Inflation ? Works for Me !

From Goodyear

Sent by: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Consumer Relations 728 1144 East Market Street Akron, OH 44316 Voice #: 800.321.2136 Fax #: 330.796.6829

Thank you for contacting our website.Goodyear supports the use of nitrogen, as an inflation gas, in all Goodyear, Dunlop and Kelly tires, based on the ability for a tire to retain pressure for a longer period of time. The use of nitrogen will not affect the tire warranty.Please be advised that even with the use of nitrogen as an inflation gas, regular inflation pressure checks are highly recommended.We appreciate your interest in Goodyear tires.

Regards,

Mary

Consumer Relations

From Michelin

Don,

Thank you for your email. We appreciate the opportunity to serve you. Several chemical companies are promoting the use of nitrogen as an inflation gas to the Tire Industry with claims of improved tire performance. The air we breathe and use to inflate tires chemically consists of 78% nitrogen, 20%oxygen and 2% other. When using nitrogen as an inflation gas, the composition of nitrogen increases from 78% to near 100%. Michelin supports the use of nitrogen based on its ability to better retain air over a period of time. If your questions have not been answered to your satisfaction, please call me at 1-800-847-3435 (toll-free) between 8:30AM and 6:00PM Eastern Time Monday through Friday.

Sincerely, Bobby

Michelin North America Consumer Relations

Editorial : I have Nitrogen in my Family Automobile tires, Goodyear Eagle LS 2, The Tire`s run cooler and ride higher...my Gas/fuel mileage has improved noticeably. I was very doubtful. It seems I was wrong ! As you can see Michelin also recommends Nitrogen. The cost is minimal, but I believe will save you more in the long run..my cost was $4.00 per tire.

One of my friends and readers wrote me a e-mail >

Hi Don,

I recommend the use of nitrous oxide (Laughing Gas) in the tires of your automobile. As the tire leaks, as they all do, It promotes a feeling of euphoria and helps prevent road rage.

Steve

"Saving America"

USWA & GOODYEAR ~ VEBA

CORRECTED - Union starts process to set Goodyear health trust
Thu Jul 5, 2007

"GOODYEAR/ (CORRECTED) ?

CHICAGO, July 5 (Reuters) - The United Steelworkers Union has filed a federal class action lawsuit needed to establish a retiree health care trust plan agreed with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (GT.N: Quote, Profile, Research) that helped end a three-month strike in 2006.The union filed the lawsuit on Tuesday in federal court in Akron, Ohio, on behalf of more than 30,000 current and future union retirees from Goodyear as a key step in establishing a Voluntary Employees' Beneficiary Association, or VEBA. Disagreement over the amount of money needed to fund a trust was a main reason for the steelworker union's strike in North America last year. Other auto industry companies and unions may look at the trust to see whether it would resolve some of their liabilities as well. Under the 2006 agreement, Goodyear will contribute $1 billion to set up the trust, which will eliminate $1.2 billion of liabilities and shift the responsibility for maintaining the health benefits to the trust.The lawsuit was expected and the process of obtaining court approval for the trust is expected to take several months, Goodyear said in a statement.

Editorial : Ah, the legal system at work ? If you ask me, and no one did.

They named the VEBA wrong !

"Saving America"

Veba ~ USWA & Goodyear ?

V E B A

As had been agreed by the United Steelworkers union and Goodyear, the union and some retirees on July 3 filed a required class action lawsuit against the company on behalf of all USW retirees. This expected lawsuit is a necessary step in the process of gaining legal approval to establish an independent Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association trust (VEBA) for USW retiree healthcare benefits. The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. "During our 2006 master contract negotiations, Goodyear and the USW agreed to establish a VEBA trust for USW retiree healthcare benefits, subject to court approval. The class action lawsuit is a required step in the process of gaining legal approval to create the VEBA," said Tom Broderick, director of compensation and benefits for Goodyear. The court will review details of the VEBA as a way to resolve Goodyear’s retiree healthcare obligations. During 2006 negotiations, Goodyear and the USW signed a memorandum of understanding stating that the company would contribute $1 billion to a VEBA to provide healthcare benefits to current and future USW retirees. If the court certifies a class of retirees and gives preliminary approval to the VEBA settlement, members of the class will have an opportunity to review it. Following that, the court will conduct a fairness hearing to determine whether or not the settlement will take effect, and a final court judgment will then be issued. If the settlement is approved, the obligations for USW retiree healthcare will be transferred to the VEBA trust and Goodyear’s current and future post-employment healthcare benefits liability related to the USW workforce, approximately $1.2 billion, will be eliminated. Goodyear and the USW anticipate the court approval process will take several months.

Editorial : This was written in the Union City Today Newspaper > 7/06/07 ? I`m not sure that a lawsuit was negotiated ? Need a little help on this one ? I do !

"Saving America"