So that Goodyear agreement, after two months on strike, will mean a two-tiered wage structure, with new hires making much, much less than folks there now - reminiscent of what we saw in the SoCal supermarket strike in 2004. That's bad.

It'll eventually mean a plant closing and the loss of 1,100 union jobs - many through UAW/GM style retirement buyouts. The union did ensure that the plant will stay open at least until the end of 2007, but this is a three year contract and that gives workers little leverage to keep Goodyear from shutting down the plant during the last two years of the agreement, when the union's still operating under a no strike clause.

On the plus side, the contract means Goodyear invests $500 million in its U.S. plants, which will hopefully stem job hemorrhaging somewhat. It means a billion dollar health care fund for retirees, which is good. But as far as I can tell, the contract doesn't increase the power workers have relative to the company's HR offices or executives and doesn't do much to grow the movement or make up for the eventual loss of 1,100 members from USW ranks. Still, this is not a defeat. But it's also far from a resounding victory. Oy.

Meanwhile: will there be a New Year's wildcat at foxwoods?

And Alcoa and the UAW settle in Cleveland, ending an 8 week old strike

The contract calls for annual wage increases and introduces a company match to Alcoa's 401(k) plan. The new contract resolves issues over a wage and benefits package and health care, Alcoa said. The agreement also begins a new attendance policy and limits the overtime available to workers.