Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
BFGoodrich is closing its historic Tuscaloosa tire plant, leaving 1,100 workers facing uncertain futures! We talk with USW Local 351 President Jim Knox about the company's rationale, how trade tariffs impacted production, and why union representation is vital during corporate shutdowns. Watch to see how workers are organizing!
00:00 Introduction: USW Local 351 President Jim Knox Joins the Show
01:08 What USW Local 351 Members Produce at the BFGoodrich Tuscaloosa Plant
01:41 Corporate Justification: Facility Age and Market Conditions
02:26 How Raw Material Tariffs Impacted Plant Profitability
03:32 Shutdown Timeline and Production Transfer to Fort Wayne
04:08 Debunking Anti-Union Myths Surrounding Plant Closures
05:24 The Role of Severance Bargaining and Sister Plant Solidarity
06:41 1,800 Non-Union Layoffs in Alabama: The Unspoken Reality
08:41 Economic Ripple Effects on Tuscaloosa and Surrounding Counties
11:23 Reaching Out to Lawmakers and Fight for Severance Guarantees
13:12 How Community Members and Employers Can Support USW Local 351
✦ ABOUT ✦
Our single largest source of revenue *is our listeners* so your support really matters and helps us stay on the air!
Make a one time donation or become a monthly donor on our website or patreon:
https://www.tvlr.fm
patreon.com/thevalleylaborreport
Visit our official website for more info on the show, membership, our sponsors, merch, and more: https://www.tvlr.fm
Follow TVLR on Facebook: facebook.com/TheValleyLaborReport
Follow TVLR on Twitter: @LaborReporters
Follow Jacob on Twitter: @JacobM_AL
Follow TVLR Co-Creator David Story on Twitter: @RadiclUnionist
✦ CONTACT US ✦
Our phone number is 844-899-TVLR (8857), call or text us live on air, or leave us a voicemail and we might play it during the show!
✦ OUR ADVERTISERS KEEP US ON THE AIR! ✦
Support them if you can.
The attorneys at MAPLES, TUCKER, AND JACOB fight for working people. Let them represent you in your workplace injury claim.
Website: mtandj.com
Phone: (855) 617-9333
The MACHINISTS UNION represents workers in several industries including healthcare, the defense industry, woodworking, and more.
Website: iamaw44.org
Phone: (256) 286-3704
Email: organize@iamaw44.org
Do you need good union laborers on your construction site, or do you want a union construction job? Reach out to the IRONWORKERS LOCAL 477.
Website: ironworkers477.org
Phone: (256) 383-3334 (Jeb Miles)
Email: local477@bellsouth.net
The NORTH ALABAMA DSA is looking for folks to work for a better North Alabama, fighting for liberty and justice for all.
Email: dsanorthalabama@gmail.com
IBEW LOCAL 136 is a group of over 900 electricians and electrical workers providing our area with the finest workforce in the construction industry. You belong here.
Website: ibew136.org
Phone: (205) 833-0909
IFPTE - We are engineers, scientists, nonprofit employees, technicians, lawyers, and many other professions who have joined together to have a greater voice in our careers. With over 80,000 members spread across the U.S. and Canada, we invite you and your colleagues to consider the benefits of engaging in collective bargaining.
Website: ifpte.org
Phone: (202) 239-4880
THE HUNTSVILLE INDUSTRIAL WORKERS OF THE WORLD is a union open to any and all working people. Call or email them today to begin organizing your workplace - wherever it is.
Website: hsviww.org
Phone: (256) 651-6707
Email: organize@hsviww.org
Website: alcse.org
Phone: (256) 812-1431
Email: dtait@energyalabama.org
Website: rwdsu.info
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union proudly representing 700,000 federal and D.C. government workers nationwide and overseas.
Website: afge.org
Are you looking for a better future, a career that can have you set for life, and to be a part of something that’s bigger than yourself? Consider a skilled trades apprenticeship with the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades.
Website: iupat.org
Unionly is a union-focused company created specifically to support organized labor. We believe that providing online payments should be simple, safe, and secure.
Website: unionly.io
Hometown Action envisions inclusive, revitalized, and sustainable communities built through multiracial working class organizing and leadership development at the local and state level to create opportunities for all people to thrive.
Website: hometownaction.org
Members of IBEW have some of the best wages and benefits in North Alabama. Find out more and join their team today!
Website: ibew558.org
BFGoodrich is closing its historic Tuscaloosa tire plant, leaving 1,100 workers facing uncertain futures! We talk with USW Local 351 President Jim Knox about the company's rationale, how trade tariffs impacted production, and why union representation is vital during corporate shutdowns. Watch to see how workers are organizing!
00:00 Introduction: USW Local 351 President Jim Knox Joins the Show
01:08 What USW Local 351 Members Produce at the BFGoodrich Tuscaloosa Plant
01:41 Corporate Justification: Facility Age and Market Conditions
02:26 How Raw Material Tariffs Impacted Plant Profitability
03:32 Shutdown Timeline and Production Transfer to Fort Wayne
04:08 Debunking Anti-Union Myths Surrounding Plant Closures
05:24 The Role of Severance Bargaining and Sister Plant Solidarity
06:41 1,800 Non-Union Layoffs in Alabama: The Unspoken Reality
08:41 Economic Ripple Effects on Tuscaloosa and Surrounding Counties
11:23 Reaching Out to Lawmakers and Fight for Severance Guarantees
13:12 How Community Members and Employers Can Support USW Local 351
✦ ABOUT ✦
Our single largest source of revenue *is our listeners* so your support really matters and helps us stay on the air!
Make a one time donation or become a monthly donor on our website or patreon:
https://www.tvlr.fm
patreon.com/thevalleylaborreport
Visit our official website for more info on the show, membership, our sponsors, merch, and more: https://www.tvlr.fm
Follow TVLR on Facebook: facebook.com/TheValleyLaborReport
Follow TVLR on Twitter: @LaborReporters
Follow Jacob on Twitter: @JacobM_AL
Follow TVLR Co-Creator David Story on Twitter: @RadiclUnionist
✦ CONTACT US ✦
Our phone number is 844-899-TVLR (8857), call or text us live on air, or leave us a voicemail and we might play it during the show!
✦ OUR ADVERTISERS KEEP US ON THE AIR! ✦
Support them if you can.
The attorneys at MAPLES, TUCKER, AND JACOB fight for working people. Let them represent you in your workplace injury claim.
Website: mtandj.com
Phone: (855) 617-9333
The MACHINISTS UNION represents workers in several industries including healthcare, the defense industry, woodworking, and more.
Website: iamaw44.org
Phone: (256) 286-3704
Email: organize@iamaw44.org
Do you need good union laborers on your construction site, or do you want a union construction job? Reach out to the IRONWORKERS LOCAL 477.
Website: ironworkers477.org
Phone: (256) 383-3334 (Jeb Miles)
Email: local477@bellsouth.net
The NORTH ALABAMA DSA is looking for folks to work for a better North Alabama, fighting for liberty and justice for all.
Email: dsanorthalabama@gmail.com
IBEW LOCAL 136 is a group of over 900 electricians and electrical workers providing our area with the finest workforce in the construction industry. You belong here.
Website: ibew136.org
Phone: (205) 833-0909
IFPTE - We are engineers, scientists, nonprofit employees, technicians, lawyers, and many other professions who have joined together to have a greater voice in our careers. With over 80,000 members spread across the U.S. and Canada, we invite you and your colleagues to consider the benefits of engaging in collective bargaining.
Website: ifpte.org
Phone: (202) 239-4880
THE HUNTSVILLE INDUSTRIAL WORKERS OF THE WORLD is a union open to any and all working people. Call or email them today to begin organizing your workplace - wherever it is.
Website: hsviww.org
Phone: (256) 651-6707
Email: organize@hsviww.org
Website: alcse.org
Phone: (256) 812-1431
Email: dtait@energyalabama.org
Website: rwdsu.info
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union proudly representing 700,000 federal and D.C. government workers nationwide and overseas.
Website: afge.org
Are you looking for a better future, a career that can have you set for life, and to be a part of something that’s bigger than yourself? Consider a skilled trades apprenticeship with the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades.
Website: iupat.org
Unionly is a union-focused company created specifically to support organized labor. We believe that providing online payments should be simple, safe, and secure.
Website: unionly.io
Hometown Action envisions inclusive, revitalized, and sustainable communities built through multiracial working class organizing and leadership development at the local and state level to create opportunities for all people to thrive.
Website: hometownaction.org
Members of IBEW have some of the best wages and benefits in North Alabama. Find out more and join their team today!
Website: ibew558.org
