Kumho Plant Workers Ratify Contract

Workers at Kumho Tire Georgia Inc., the Macon, Ga. tire plant operated by Kumho Tire USA, have ratified their first four-year contract. The United Steelworkers (USW) said the deal covers about 325 workers at the site.

“The membership at Kumho Tire fought for years to win the rights and benefits of a fair union contract,” said USW International President Tom Conway. “Thanks to their solidarity and the hard work of our bargaining committee, they achieved that goal.”

USW District 9 Director Daniel Flippo said that the contract "provides yearly wage improvements and other pay increases. It also includes additional paid time off, a joint health and safety committee and other workplace protections, all while maintaining quality health care and other benefits."

Flippo said, “The power of solidarity won a fair contract, and we proved that our voices are strongest when we stand together for the benefit of everyone. With the ratified agreement in place, our jobs will be more secure, prosperous and safer than before.”

When plant workers voted to join the USW in September 2019 they became the first tire workers to unionize in more than 40 years, the USW said. And it came after a lengthy fight. That year an administrative law judge ordered a new vote after determining the tiremaker had violated employees rights during the initial vote in 2017.

“Our members at Kumho know firsthand the difference a union can make,” USW Rubber and Plastics Industry Conference Chair Kevin Johnsen said. “This contract ensures that the standard of living for USW members, our families and communities will continue to improve.”