The United Steelworkers, who have been working without a contract for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., went on strike Thursday against the U.S. tire maker.

The 2003 contract expired July 22, the union said, adding that its strike would impact 15,000 members at 16 plants in Canada and the United States.

The company left us with no option, said USW executive vice president Ron Hoover. We cannot allow additional plant closures after the sacrifices we made three years ago to help this company survive.

Goodyear said earlier this week, when the union gave notice of its intent to halt negotiations, that it had contingency plans in place to continue operating our factories and serving our customers.