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Local News

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Union: Tariff helps workers in Findlay
Hancock Federal Credit Union
By LOU WILIN

STAFF WRITER

Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.'s Findlay factory workers will benefit more than any other U.S. tire makers from President Barack Obama's tariffs on Chinese-made tires, a union leader said Monday.

The import tax will save jobs in the United States, and no jobs are more vulnerable to competition from low-priced Chinese labor than those in Findlay, said United Steelworkers of America Local 207L President Rod Nelson.

Cooper Tire has two plants in China which ship tires to the United States.

The Findlay plant, which employs 1,100, is the oldest one among all tire making companies in the United States, Nelson said. The Findlay plant makes tires for pickups and sport utility vehicles.

Cooper is completing the closing of its plant in Albany, Ga., putting 1,300 out of work. The Findlay plant would be next on the list of Cooper's U.S. plants to be closed, he said.

"If (company leaders) shut down another plant, it will be us," Nelson said. The tariff "is a big plus for the Findlay plant, more so than any other plant in the United States."

Cooper had told the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative that tariffs might halt its ability to import tires from its factories in China, the trade publication Tire Business reported. Curtis Schneekloth, investor relations director for Cooper, declined to comment on that report.

Company leaders are considering price and manufacturing changes, Schneekloth said. Tire price increases are likely, he said.

Tire manufacturers have said tires exported from China are lower priced and do not compete directly with the mostly premium tires made in the United States. All the tariff will do is create shortages in the lower end of the U.S. tire market and raise prices for consumers who can ill afford price increases in a recession, U.S tire companies have said.

But Nelson said the types and quality of tires being manufactured in China have grown over the years. He said they will continue to grow without the tariff.

United Steelworkers last April told the International Trade Commission that steep increases in Chinese tire imports -- from just under 15 million in 2004 to more than 46 million in 2008 -- cost more than 5,000 tire industry jobs in that period, Tire Business reported.

The trade commission later ruled that Chinese tire imports caused market disruption in the U.S. tire industry.

Wilin: 419-427-8413

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10 Comments

Latest comments listed first.
Rick wrote:
tariff
“ Look Doug, Being the fact that your union backed President named Clinton granted China the most favored nation statis. I am back from the future. You could see this coming. Your unions send you propaganda every month telling you who to vote for and what is good for you. They try to instill fear into people and are so liberal it is unreal. History is now starting to show what kind of a president Clinton was and it will show on every president. So go build some more tires so that you will be able to pay some extra taxes for your grand children, cause the sucking of your paycheck will be coming. OOO and that awful Cooper Tire, well when the China government nationalizes the factories in China and Cooper goes broke because they lost all of there capital maybe you you can go find a place to work or just sit around and and let your union take care of you. ”
Thursday, September 17, 2009 6:35:59 AM
Millicent R Mills wrote:
Chinese Building tires
“ any time you close a plant and lay American workers off you are doing them an injustice. If you prefer the profit from paying the Chinese lower wages to acheive the money you need to keep going you deserve whatever comes your way. ”
Tuesday, September 15, 2009 10:22:25 PM
Ron House wrote:
Tariff
“ The fact is that the USW continues to do what unions do best. Instill fear in their members and pretend they they are truly providing them representation. The only thing that this tariff will do to Cooper is weaken its position in the market since they will be unable to replace the tires lost from the imports and lose customers who can go to other tire makers that have significant presence outside of China. Mr Nelson and his cohorts need to focus on what they do best, collect those dues under the guise of competent representation. ”
Tuesday, September 15, 2009 9:07:48 PM
R wrote:
Jeff's comment is true!!!
“ Jeff:"the global economy is a huge lie and isn't working except for China and Mexico"

Anybody remember Ross Perot and that "giant sucking sound"?

That's what we're hearing people!! Isn't it deafening? ”
Tuesday, September 15, 2009 11:05:11 AM
Doug wrote:
Give us a clue
“ Gee Rick, seems you've been "Back To The Future" and have all the answers! By your statement "Bamarama" alone you look like one of those sore losers without a clue. Please oh please oh mighty Rick give us the insight that you so intelligently own, that you and you only obviously got from President Obama personally and not from Fox News or some other right winged zealot!!! Hmmm,,, maybe Cooper aught to make a cheaper tire here in America. Gee, what a concept!!! Get off your bashing high horse and join reality!!!!! Your either part of the solution or you're part of the problem! And I see it as you are part of the problem! I bet you are one that called all Democrats "traitors" for not supporting GW on his invasion of a nation that did nothing to America!!! ”
Tuesday, September 15, 2009 10:38:44 AM
Tom Ross wrote:
Another Union Concession that costs America Jobs and Costs.
“ This tarriff is typical of union protectionism that Mr. Obama has been propogating. This will shut down the indepenants such as Hercules as they will have to pay huge tarrifs to move tire. In addition this will raise tire prices for the rest of Americans simply to protect a union shop. So while this union person "claims" it will save jobs in reality it will cost thousands of american jobs and raise costs simply to protect a union. Tyical obama agenda for socialism. Signed a disgusted American. ”
Tuesday, September 15, 2009 9:34:12 AM
A. Citizen wrote:
Chinese Tires
“ "...The import tax will save jobs in the United States, and no jobs are more vulnerable to competition from low-priced Chinese labor than those in Findlay..."

"...Cooper had told the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative that tariffs might halt its ability to import tires from its factories in China, ...."

People say they want less government.

Couldn't jobs be saved and we'd get less government if US companies just STOPPED manufacturing in China?

Why do we need government to put import taxes on Chinese tires to prevent US companies from manufacturing in China?

US companies should have the moral fortitude to do the right thing and keep manufacturing here.

Jeez-- you'd think we already did enough for Cooper by giving them local and state tax breaks.

 ”
Tuesday, September 15, 2009 9:01:33 AM
JEFF wrote:
TIRES
“ Isn't Cooper guity of importing tires from China? Such hypocrisy.
It really riles me that there are so many imported tires and car parts in this country while millions of people that want to work for a living have lost their jobs.
The "global economy" is a huge lie and isn't working except for China and Mexico. ”
Tuesday, September 15, 2009 7:29:43 AM
Rick wrote:
Tires
“ Nelson, Once again you have not a clue what Bamarama's game is. Putting the tariff on China made tires will make them put a tariff on our products and that will be something in the way of agriculture related,which is the same thing Jimmy Carter did back in the 70's and nearly broke all the farmers. Mr. Nelson that tariff will kill Cooper Tire in the long run. They need to use those China made tire sold to the US. to keep a cash flow so that they can make a profit as a company.Just like all the union think about is for themselves at a certain plant and not for the company, which pays for your so called I quote from Saums Yard Apes. What seems good to you is really a bad thing for Cooper Tire and America. Thanks for voting for such a loser in Washington all your Union friends should be proud. ”
Tuesday, September 15, 2009 5:56:09 AM
J wrote:
Not Good
“ 'Cooper had told the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative that tariffs might halt its ability to import tires from its factories in China'

I personally don't see how this is good for Cooper's or its employees in the near future. Any time you eliminate a product line and reduce profits, from the employee point of view, bad things happen.
”
Tuesday, September 15, 2009 4:39:59 AM
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This video, released by the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office, shows the shooting of a Lima man who led authorities on a three-county chase ending Aug.24 in Benton Ridge. Be cautioned, the video contains graphic content.
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News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.