Job cuts anger tyre employees

Tyre manufacturer Michelin has come under attack from its staff because of the lack of consultation over the job losses it announced last week.

Michelin is to make 950 job cuts when its plant in Stoke-on-Trent stops producing tyres for cars and vans next summer. This follows Goodyear’s announcement of 540 job losses in Wolverhampton earlier this month. Both companies were criticised by employees for their poor levels of consultation. The Transport & General Workers Union accused Goodyear of having "torn up" agreements on security of employment by announcing the job losses. And it accused Michelin of taking advantage of weaker UK employment protection.

Peter Booth, TGWU national organiser for manufacturing, said, "UK labour laws mean we have no rights to influence decisions."

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A Michelin spokesman said the company has done its best to save jobs and keep staff informed. "We have kept employees abreast of the state of the market and what needs to be done," he added.

A Goodyear spokeswoman denied the union’s claims. She said job losses are only one option and that management has been talking to unions for some time.