United Steelworkers Strike at Goodyear Plants

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nited Steelworkers members at Goodyear went on strike after the union rejected a proposal from the tire maker during the final hours of negotiations on Thursday.

Plants affected by the strike include 12 U.S. and four Canadian facilities, Goodyear said in a statement.

"We simply cannot accept a contract that knowingly creates a competitive disadvantage versus our foreign-owned competition and increases our cost disadvantage versus imports," said Jim Allen, Goodyear's chief negotiator.

Meanwhile, United Steelworkers said in its own statement it could not accept Goodyear’s proposal because it included three plant closures opposed by the union.

United Steelworkers gave notice on Monday that it would terminate an extension of its contract with the tire maker on Thursday unless the parties reached a deal. Goodyear and the union agreed to the extension after the contract expired in July. (Click here for previous coverage.)