Union takes messages from strike to YouTube

The company says it hasn't posted on the site.
CLEVELAND (AP) -- The United Steelworkers union is turning to the popular video-sharing site YouTube to question the safety of Goodyear Tire & amp; Rubber tires being made while 12,000 union workers in the United States and Canada are on strike.
"Obviously it's getting a lot of attention," USW spokesman Wayne Ranick said. "There is obviously a big audience out there that gets that information. It's instant communications."
The union's YouTube posting suggests that using replacement workers during a strike can lead to unsafe tires.
Since the strike began Oct. 5, Goodyear, based in Akron, has been making tires at some of its North American plants with nonunion and temporary workers as well as some managers. The company is counting on production at its international plants to help supply North American customers.
"We haven't posted on YouTube about the strike. As to the question about our quality, we will never compromise quality. We have long-standing systems and procedures to ensure that every Goodyear tire meets our quality standards," Goodyear spokesman Ed Markey said. Markey said.
Both sides have Web sites available online about the strike. The Pittsburgh-based USW started one this week aimed at Goodyear investors and questioning company tactics.
Akron-based Goodyear has said it intends to close its Tyler, Texas, tire plant by next year because the company is ending production of low-profit private-label tires. The union wants all plants protected from closing. The union also strongly objected to a company proposal for creating a retirees' health care trust, which the union argued shortchanged retirees.
Goodyear executives have said they are seeking a contract that will help the company be globally competitive.