Earlier this month, Goodyear announced it would cease tire production there, converting the plant to rubber mixing and cutting some 800 jobs.

Union representatives told CBC that the plant could be profitable if it’s transformed to produce higher-profit tires, like high performance tires. The union wants Goodyear to invest in new production equipment to manufacture 17- to 19-inch HP lines.

The workers, however, have not met with Goodyear to discuss the plan. Joseph Gargison, Quebec vice-president of the Communications, Energy & Paperworkers’ Union of Canada, which represents some of the Valleyfield employees, told CBC that, "We need the help of government programs, whether it’s federal or provincial, to try to improve that deal."

Goodyear has made no comment on the union’s proposal.