Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company ~ Union City Tennessee ~ Is it Closing ?...10/14/10
Informational Meeting with Plant Mgr. Terry Tennyson and Union President Ricky Waggoner on...10/02/10
By : Don Jones
10/14/10
> http://wwwsecondchance.blogspot.com/2010/08/we-gotta-save-applebys-in-union-city.html <
Back sometime ago, I contacted President Ricky Waggoner, United Steel Workers of America Local#878-L in Union City Tennessee, approximately 5/16/10, and asked his permission to contact Plant Manager, Terry Tennyson, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Union City Tennessee ! I, like you, had heard many rumors that our plant was closing. Being retired from the Union City Plant and a former Union Officer, I thought it best to contact Bro. Waggoner, not that I had too, I just did`nt want to upset anything that might be going on. He said, he had no problem with me meeting with Mr. Tennyson. I contacted my friend and former Division Chairman, Don Hawkins, retired also. We met on several occasions to discuss the ramifications of our plant closing ! We decided that a face to face meeting with Terry Tennyson with Ricky Waggoner present was our best option. When I worked at the plant, Terry Tennyson was production Manager. He and I served on a communications committee together, so we knew/know one another. I always found Terry to be a very approachable and upfront manager. I contacted him and asked if he would meet with myself, Don Hawkins, Ricky Waggoner and C.T. Brooks, former Tire-Room employee, and non-union officer(Non-Union Officer Mentality), but, was a good union member and employee ! We thought some input from a rank and file member was a very necessary thing. We all agreed that we were not attending this meeting to negotiate anything ! Our only goal was to find out if our plant was in trouble ? It was/is ! And how we could help "Save Goodyear Union City Plant"? Terry agreed to meet with us, and met with us for about two hours. He informed us that our plant was in trouble and the unprotected status, did`nt help. Having said that, Since Terry has took over the reins at Union City, There have been positive changes. Tire cost has been cut tremendously. Waste has been cut. Tire production has increased. Some key personnel were placed in some key positions in the plant. Terry informed us that he was conducting (Locker Room Meetings) with all of you, in an effort to keep you informed about our plant. I have had discussions with 8th.District Congressional candidate Roy Herron about our plant, he is of the same thinking, Jobs, Jobs, Jobs and do not lose the jobs currently in our District ! State Rep. Judy Barker 77th. District, was instrumental in securing 2 million dollar$ for our plant in Union City and State Representative Mark Maddox 76th. District, Weakley and Carroll Counties, has been working closly with Rep. Barker to assist our plant in not closing ! However, the most important ingredient in all of this is YOU, those of you who work in the plant now ! Without your help, any progress made, would not have been possible ! Although there is a plan to shut down Union City, Terry, said it was not set in concrete ! In so many words he said, we must make our plant indispensable ! To this writer, that to me, is what is going on ! Again those of you on the floor of the plant are the only players who can make this happen. If Terry Tennyson, informs you of something, you can go to the bank on it ! He is not blowing smoke ! I believe that Terry and Ricky are the right persons at the right time. Think about it this way, if you save the Union City Plant, you save your community and yourself ! Might I suggest that you read a blog, I wrote back sometime ago ! Click on title or link below !
> http://wwwsecondchance.blogspot.com/2010/08/we-gotta-save-applebys-in-union-city.html <
Listed below are how to reach these elected officials:
John Tanner > http://www.house.gov/tanner <
Roy Herron > sen.roy.herron@legislature.state.tn.us <
Judy Barker > rep.judybarker@capitol.tn.gov <
Phil Bredesen > http://www.tennesseeanytime.org/government/elected.html <
Mark Maddox > http://www.rep.mark.maddox@legislature.state.tn.us <
And anyone else you think can help, aid and assist in this effort !
posted by Stick a Fork in me, I`m Done ! @ Thursday, October 14, 2010
3 Comments:
I helped start up the Union City Plant in 1968 and worked as a foreman in the tire building department and as an Industrial Engineer. From the origins of the union there was always a leaning toward striking for anything or nothing. It is amazing that the plant has stayed open as long as it has. The union and management need to both understand that they are not enemies and try to work together for a win-win situation to keep the plant open. It could have a drastic effect on the city if it closes.
Dear Glenn B ; 12/29/10
I started in 1970, worked in tubers. There is enough blame for both management and union ! If you were there in 68, then you realize that the union was created out of necesity by management. Today,Ricky Waggoner, President of USWA#878-L and Terry Tennyson, Plant manager are working hand in hand trying to keep Union City open ! You are correct, Union City and all of the surrounding areas, will be devestated.
Don,
I couldn't agree more. Since you didn't start until 1970 you may not remember that most of the startup and continuing operations management came from Gadsden, Alabama and their management style came right out of the 1950s so the union got voted in. I never did like their management style and, like you, blame a lot of that for the union actions, which like management, was like a couple of brat kids fighting over whatever they could make up. I left in 1973 and the plant was almost shut down a year or so later. I hope they get their act together for the sake of all or all will lose and a lot more people will go down with them.
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