The United Steelworkers struck over the proposed closing, and the strike dragged on for several weeks before being settled, causing problems throughout the company and their customers, as well. The strike began Oct. 5, and over 12,000 workers were involved in the strike. The strike was anticipated, so many retailers were able to stockpile Goodyear tires in an attempt to alleviate the affects of the strike, but smaller retailers, who could not afford that option, were harder hit, and ran out of tires during the strike. One reporter notes, "The strike has been especially painful to small retailers, who couldn't afford or didn't have the warehouse capacity to order extra tires before the walkout."

Larger companies, such as Ford and Caterpillar, who use Goodyear tires, stockpiled tires as well, but also rely on tires from other manufacturers, so they were not hard hit during the strike.

After three months, the...
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