GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER CO. $22.17 (Nasdaq symbol GT; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (330-796-2122; www.goodyear.com; Shares outstanding: 245.5 million; Market cap: $5.4 billion; No dividends paid) has signed an important new labour contract with the United Steelworkers. The four-year deal covers about 8,000 workers at its six U.S. plants.
The agreement provides Goodyear with flexibility to reduce staffing and continues medical-benefit cost sharing.
Wages and benefits remain in line with the prior agreement. The contract protects Goodyear against strikes over its four-year term, but it also protects workers against closures at the six plants.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber is still a buy.