By Daniel Pye<br><a href="mailto:pyed@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Dan</a>
Despite a tough job market and stagnant economy, the Town of Tonawanda Dunlop tire plant could see an expansion in the near future.
The facility is preparing to take on an increased workload since Goodyear Tire announced the closing of a plant in Spartanburg, S.C. That closure, set for the end of the year, will displace approximately 90 workers employed at the Spartanburg plant, which produces materials for truck tires and aviation tires. That has brought work to the town’s plant and another in Georgia with more to come.
A new contract negotiated and approved in September by the United Steelworkers union guaranteed that the town’s plant will remain open for the next four years, saving 1,000 jobs. The Sheridan Drive facility produces tires for trucks, passenger cars and motorcycles.
But truck tires account for the smallest portion of the plant’s production, and the contract calls for buyouts of 200 workers if Dunlop stops making truck tires in the Tonawanda plant. Those buyouts amount to $2,000 per year of service up to a maximum of $50,000, according to union figures.
The transfer of production from South Carolina to Tonawanda would seem to solidify the truck tire line, but Tonawanda Plant Communications Manager Diane Zwirecki said specific details of the restructuring haven’t been finalized. And while the Tonawanda site doesn’t produce airline tires, Zwirecki said that doesn’t mean operations other than truck tire production will see an increase.
“We do have a component prep area that does retread work for other lines, including airline,” she said.
A statement released by Goodyear-Dunlop said the shift will “improve efficiency and optimize (the company’s) manufacturing footprint.”
Contact reporter Daniel Pye at 693-1000, ext. 158.
