REPORTER: “A Topeka Goodyear employee sent 13 News this photo of a slide shown during a meeting updating workers on company policy. Today 13 News obtained an audio recording of the presentation. The speaker referenced instances of racial graffiti in the locker room and detailed what is and is not allowed under the company’s zero-tolerance policy.”
[Clip starts]
SPEAKER: “Some people may wish to express their views on social justice or inequity or equity issues such as black lives matter or LGBTQ pride on their face coverings, shirts or wristbands. That will be deemed approved because it applies with a zero-tolerance stance. However, if any associate wears all, blue, white lives matter shirts or face coverings, that will be not appropriate.”
[Clip ends]
REPORTER: “The unidentified speaker says the rules were created to make a better work environment.”
[Clip starts]
SPEAKER: “The rules now around what you can wear. Let’s try and comply with these so that way you know everybody feels good in this factory. I want to make sure guys, think about what we do. In this factory, right, we all work together to make tires that’s what we do. That’s what we get paid to do. So, let’s continue to do that and do the right thing and keep this place what it has always been, a good place to work.”
[Clip ends]
REPORTER: “The speaker does not specifically mention the Donald Trump ‘make America great again’ slogan shown on the slide, but did say political campaigns are a no-go.”
[Clip starts]
SPEAKER: “With elections coming, a see a lot of people wearing, you know, election type stuff. Democrat, Republican, Trump, Biden, Sanders, and whatever. That will no longer be allowed in the plant, no face masks, no shirts, anything political will not be allowed in the plant.”
[Clip ends]
REPORTER: “The photo has since gained national attention, including an acknowledgement from President Donald Trump calling for a boycott on the company’s tires. In a statement Wednesday morning, Goodyear said its corporate office did not create or distribute the slide. A spokesperson declined comment when 13 News asked if it was created locally or if the content was inaccurate. They referred us back to the statement which reads: ‘Goodyear is committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace where all of our associates can do their best in a spirit of teamwork. As a part of this commitment, we do allow our associates to express their support on racial injustice and other equity issues but ask that they refrain from workplace expressions, verbal or otherwise, in support of political campaigning for any candidate or political party as well as other similar forms of advocacy that fall outside the scope of equity issues.’”