Nation in brief: Archdiocese settles sexual abuse claims

The Archdiocese of Washington has agreed to pay $1.3 million to 16 men who said they were sexually abused by eight priests from 1962 to 1982.

Although the men began pursuing claims three years ago, no lawsuits were filed in part because the statutes of limitation had expired in the jurisdictions where the acts allegedly occurred, said an attorney for the group, Peter M. Gillon.

The allegations raised by the men stemmed from events that occurred between 24 and 44 years ago, and two of the men receiving settlement money already had lost legal claims against the archdiocese. All eight priests involved in the allegations have been removed from ministry; seven were prosecuted, and one was acquitted.

The settlement, first reported in Saturday’s editions of the Washington Post, provides cash payments of $10,000 to $190,000 to each of the men.

Lincoln, Neb.

Goodyear workers take to picket lines

Union members battling Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. took their picket lines to about 150 tire retailers in the U.S. and Canada on Saturday, making their case directly to consumers for health care and retirement benefits.

In Lincoln, about 50 United Steelworkers members protested at two Goodyear retailers, decrying the company’s use of replacement workers during the two-month strike.

“We know what it takes to build tires, and unskilled workers just can’t do it,” said Gary Schaefer, 54, vice president of the United Steelworkers Local 286 in Lincoln. “We do not want the general public riding their lives on temporary workers.”

Goodyear spokesman Ed Markey said the protests do not affect plans to return to the bargaining table, scheduled to resume Monday in Pittsburgh for the first time since meetings broke off Nov. 17.

About 15,000 workers are on strike at 12 U.S. and four Canadian plants. Goodyear workers went on strike Oct. 5 after talks broke down on a new contract.

Since the strike began, Goodyear has been making tires at some of its North American plants with nonunion and temporary workers as well as some managers.