Dayton tire plant to close, losing 1600 jobs

[blonndee]

By Paul Monies
The Oklahoman

Tire company Bridgestone/Firestone finalized plans Thursday to close its Dayton Tire plant in Oklahoma City by the end of the year, with the loss of more than 1,600 jobs.

<snip>

“But the reality is, this plant produces tires in the low-end segment of the market where demand is shrinking and fierce competition from low-cost producing is increasing,” Brooks said. “Even with substantial new investment, global market forces make it virtually impossible to restore the plant to a competitive position and stem the huge losses.”

<snip>

Terry Slaughter, a union member with Steelworkers Local 998, said he didn’t think the company negotiated with the union in good faith because it kept demanding more concessions. Local President Jim Cassie was in St. Louis, Mo., for national labor negotiations and unavailable for comment.

On several occasions, the state has offered incentives to keep the tire factory competitive, most recently in 2004 to help buy new molds and equipment. The company did not take advantage of that law, saying market conditions had changed.

full story: http://www.newsok.com/article/2448680

[YellowRubberDuckie]

1. My best friend's husband is losing his job...

Luckily the severance package is incredible. They're also paying for them to get reskilled, so they aren't completely screwed.
Duckie

[blonndee]

2. Good to hear all's not lost for your friends!

Too many times when this happens, it's a really tough loss for the employees. Seems like this has been happening a lot in Oklahoma the last few years. :-(

[Joey Liberal]

4. It's very sad, yet.....

Oklahomans keep voting republican. Ever since Bush took over it's been nothing but lay-offs.

[bob444]

3. Dayton Tires

I live in Iowa and was considering buying the Dayton Grenadier PLE tires for our 2000
Ford Contour and just saw this post - apparently the BridgeStone people don't read Consumer Reports which in Nov 2005 gave the Dayton Tire great marks now I will have to look at others makes you wonder about mangement uh :) Bob