Background

The Detroit West District Peace Center calls upon The Firestone Natural Rubber Company to honor its 2008 labor contract; redress environmental damages as a result of its Liberian operations; stop releasing chemicals into the environment and stop exposing workers to any compounds and chemicals that are internationally recognized as most toxic; and continually and intentionally improve the quality of living and working conditions of its workers. Be it further resolved that the churches of the Detroit Annual Conference be made aware of the cited conditions at The Firestone Natural Rubber Company plantation in Liberia and joining with the International Labor Rights Forum, Friends of the Earth, NAACP, TransAfrica Forum, The RFK Memorial Center for Human Rights and other United States and Liberian-based organizations.

Rationale

In 1998 the Detroit Annual Conference entered into a Covenant Partnership with the Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, with Human Rights Advocacy as one of the priorities.

The Liberia Annual Conference Human Rights Monitor has requested the Detroit Annual Conference to help improve the working, living and environmental conditions of The Firestone Natural Rubber Plantation in Liberia.

The Company (now owned by Bridgestone Corporation) has operated the world’s largest rubber plantation in Liberia for over 80 years leasing from the Liberia government over one million acres of land in 1926 for six cents (.06) per acre. In 2005, Firestone signed a new 37-year agreement to lease the land for fifty (50) cents per acre. The average worker daily pay at that time was $3.19.

As of August 6, 2008, the Liberian workers’ pay has been increased by 24% as a result of collective bargaining negotiations with a newly formed union of Liberia, there are still some economic and social issues that need addressing. The Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia recently confirmed Firestone dumps toxic chemicals into local rivers, like the Farmington River, used by the community for bathing and fishing.

The pollution has caused serious health problems for and has killed off some forms of river life. Some Firestone workers in Liberia live in cramped shacks that have not been renovated since the 1920s and lack electricity, running water and indoor latrines. Educational and health facilities are understaffed and lack resources.

Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC. has more than 2,200 consumer and commercial vehicle service and tire locations in the United States and Canada and approximately 37,000 employees. In 2006 new tire sales were $7.9 Billion in the United States and Canada.

Approved by: Detroit West District Peace Center Guiding Committee, September 8, 2008
Supported by: Board of Church & Society, Detroit Annual Conference, February 12, 2009

Affiliations

Detroit Annual Conference, Detroit West District Peace Center Guiding Committee Representatives: Hope United Methodist Church, Second Grace UMC, Scott Memorial UMC, Redford-Aldersgate UMC, Calvary UMC.

Sources

www.stopfirestone.org, Berkeley, California City Council Resolution dated January 29, 2008,

Human Rights in Liberia's Rubber Plantations:Tapping into the Future pp. 45-46. United Nations Mission in Liberia. Retrieved on 2007-03-23

Bridgestone/Firestone Canada Corporate Website.

MTD 2007 January website (Modern Tire Dealer)

Facts from Bridgestone Copyright Bridgestone American Holding 2008

2007 Firestone Natural Rubber Company

Response to Firestone, Save My Future Foundation, August 12, 2008

www.firestonerubber.com/voice/2008

Metropolitan Washington Council AFL-CIO, August 11, 2008

http://laborrightsblog.typepad.com

The Analyst Newspaper: Liberia: 2008

Robtel Neajai Pailey (2007-04-25)

Bridgestone Holding Inc. Fact Sheet

Bridgestone Media Center, October 2000, July 2003

2004 United Methodist Book of Discipline, Section 163.IV. The Economic Community

1998 Liberia-Detroit Covenant Partnership in Ministry