With strike's end within sight, workers continue plans to picket, add up the costs

By Connie Bloom
Beacon Journal staff writer

The union hall wasn't exactly buzzing with excitement Friday night.

Members of the Akron-based United Steelworkers Local 2 were feeling the sting of nearly three months on the picket line, soberly sipping Budweisers, water and Cokes, patting the unofficial union golden retriever, Ziggy Stardust.

Confetti, no.

News of a tentative agreement that would put 470 hourly tiremakers back to work at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. was certainly welcome, but no panacea for their lingering concerns and sense of betrayal.

``It's going to be a better Christmas,'' said Larry Warner of Hartville, a husband, father and 35-year employee still standing duty on the picket line on Kelly Avenue.

Union members say they will continue to picket until a contract is ratified, but will take a break until 6 a.m. Dec. 26, which coincides with Goodyear's traditional Christmas shutdown.

Warner estimates the strike cost him between $15,000 and $20,000. Others said $25,000.

``We don't have any money for Christmas,'' he said. ``I'm not behind or nothing and everybody's been great.... I didn't have to borrow.''

Union members had heard only unconfirmed snippets of the terms of the possible pact Friday night and said that because of the holidays, there was no time for the union to lay it out for them before the next local meeting. The ratification vote is scheduled for Thursday.

Dennis Kearns of Springfield Township, who has eight years of service, heard from a relative who works in the Gadsden, Ala., plant that the company has agreed to establish a $1 billion health-care trust.

``What we needed was $1.2 billion,'' he said.

``From what I understand, there's nothing on the table that could be considered a gain,'' said Carman E. Davis of Cuyahoga Falls. He retired with 40 years service and nine months experience at the bargaining table, he said.

He has more questions than answers. How should the three union people who crossed the picket line and went back to work be treated?

``We have a closed-shop agreement. These people resigned and there's a serious Catch 22 for them,'' Davis said.

Davis also wondered whether union members who were entitled to accident and sick benefits during the strike will be reimbursed for their out-of-pocket expenses.

``I would estimate 300 out of 15,000 hourly union members in the system are affected,'' said Davis. ``One of our members had a quadruple bypass (operation).''

``It was tough,'' said Rick Nixon of Akron, an employee of 13 years. ``I put back some (money) to prepare and had the kids watch'' what they spent. His son Dane, 5, noshing on a Christmas cookie, was a regular on the picket lines.

Jerry Stralos of Springfield Township, nine years with the company, estimated he lost $25,000 ``counting the 401K.'' The husband and father of three said: ``We didn't buy anything.'' The kids' presents cost under $20. ``They understand -- some of them have even been on the picket line. They make the night go faster.''

Once a contract is ratified, the company can call them back immediately, but it'll be another two weeks before they get a paycheck.

``Just in the nick of time,'' said Kearns, a husband and dad. ``The well was going dry.''

Strikers said they were heartened by the extraordinary kindness of strangers.

``One lady came over with a fistful of $100 bills and passed them out,'' said Davis. ``She said, `I live in the area and I want to do something to help.' ''

A former salaried company employee delivered envelopes containing $20 bills to four shifts of guys on picket duty, Davis said.

``I just can't tell you how great Akron has been to me,'' said Warner. ``The Akron police, EMTs beat their horns when they drove by. I've had strangers stop and give me coffee and cookies.

``I can't tell you how happy I am.''