United Steelworkers Local 307 - Topeka 3.6

HISTORY OF LOCAL 307


The Goodyear Topeka Plant had opened in February, 1944, slowly moving into production.

Goodyear worked at keeping the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) from holding elections, and was successful until February 13, 1945. The Company had used the "expanding unit" rule to stall elections for twelve months. The NLRB supervised the secret ballot election with maintenance and production workers who chose United Rubber, Cork, Linoleum and Plastic Workers of America.

On September 1, 1945 the United Rubber, Cork, Linoleum and Plastic Workers of America chartered the employees of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Topeka, Kansas as URW Local 307.

All was not rosy, the powerhouse chose a different bargaining agent, and the guards voted not to organize.

The NLRB was called to supervise an election again in July, 1956. The employees of Prophet Foods (cafeteria) selected Local 307 as their Union.

In July, 1964 additional members were added to Local 307 thru the opening of the Mid- Land Zone Distribution Center, adjacent to the Topeka Tire Plant.

In July of 1995 The United Rubber, Cork, Linoleum and Plastic Workers merged with the United Steelworkers of America.

In April 2005 the Paper, Allied Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers Union (PACE) merged with the United Steelworkers of America. The new union is called the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union or the USW . We are now United Steelworkers, USW Local 307(L).