Goodyear zero tolerance policy police black lives matter

Goodyear is facing calls of a boycott after it was revealed that the popular tire manufacturer has zero tolerance for supporting police officers and President Trump. But the same Goodyear policy describes Black Lives Matter and LGBT as “acceptable”.

This could be a very costly mistake for the Akron, Ohio based company that markets and sells tires to many police departments. 

Goodyear “Accepts” Black Lives Matter And LGBT But Not Police

A Goodyear employee was concerned that the tire company’s policy is discriminatory. So they shared a picture of a slide taken at a company diversity training session in Topeka, Kansas. The slide reportedly came from Goodyear’s corporate headquarters.

The slide states that Black Lives Matter (BLM), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride attire and promotion is acceptable. What is not acceptable: law and order.

Blue Lives Matter, All Lives Matter, MAGA Attire, Political Affiliated Slogans or Material are forbidden under Goodyear’s update zero tolerance policy.

And the policy is now causing a huge problem for Goodyear.

How Will Goodyear’s Zero Tolerance Policy Affect Business?

Setting aside the violence and crime associated with Black Live Matter across the US for a minute – the large manufacturer sells a tremendous amount of tires to police departments. 

Related: Black Lives Matter’s Wave Of Destruction Across Chicago Hits Center Housing Critically Ill Children

More specifically, they market their tires to police departments. And now they got caught red-handed turning their backs on American cops and their supporters.

Does Goodyear expect to ban Blue Lives Matter and yet retain the business of police departments across America? 

“If someone wants to wear a BLM shirt in here, then cool. I’m not going to get offended about it. But at the same time, if someone’s not going to be able to wear something that is politically based, even in the farthest stretch of the imagination, that’s discriminatory,” the Goodyear employee who provided the picture of the slide stated. “If we’re talking about equality, then it needs to be equality. If not, it’s discrimination.”

It is acceptable that Goodyear employees wear and promote Black Lives Matter. The political organization who wants to defund police departments. Well isn’t that ironic?

If police departments are defunded, how are they going to pay for their Goodyear tires? 

In addition, Black Lives Matter protests and riots have targeted police officers, injuring and killing some of them. How is this acceptable to Goodyear while supporting the police is not. 

Related: Three Federal Officers Permanently Blinded During Portland Riots

Goodyear Responds

The American tire manufacturer released the following statement:

“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 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.”

But it doesn’t appear that Goodyear thought this through. Now, their woke policy is likely to come them big bucks. 

Call For Boycott, Trump Weighs In

Now that it appears the tire company only wants the police as a source of revenue, calls to boycott Goodyear have started. It looks like the company’s new zero tolerance will not be good for business.

President Trump has joined in by encouraging a boycott of Goodyear. The tire manufacturer has alienated at least half the country by claiming their values are unacceptable. 

What’s that old adage? Go woke, get broke! 

Sound off below and on social media. Will you be buying Goodyear tires after reading this?

Goodyear Tweets Message About Zero Tolerance Slide

UPDATE 8/19/20 3:30pm – Goodyear is denying involvement in the creation of the zero tolerance slide widely circulated after being reported by local news.

A statement posted to its official Twitter account also denied the slide’s inclusion in any corporate sanctioned training.

Goodyear’s message went on to state that expressions of support related to “racial justice and equality issues” are condoned. But any support of political campaigns, issues, or advocacy outside of that are prohibited.

Which, in essence, seems to dovetail with the contents of the slide.

In closing, Goodyear was careful to point out it supports equality AND law enforcement. But the National Police Association, for one, felt the tire manufacturer’s statement fell short.

As of now, Goodyear disabled comments on their tweet.

Editor’s Note: This piece has been updated to include the statement by Goodyear and a subsequent tweet.

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