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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).

The Homes of Local 307

Most of you are only familiar with our current Union Hall located on North Taylor, but our history is of many homes.

With the assistance of the United Packinghouse Workers, we first set up office close to the packinghouse on Quincy Street. This space is now occupied by a parking lot next to Seymour Foods.

Our second home was in a beer hall in the 100 block on E. Seventh. Probably no shortage of volunteers then!

Our third home was a funeral parlor, 2nd floor, on Fifth Street across from the police station. The funeral parlor has been replaced by Merchants National Bank Drive Thru Bank.