Save our Goodyear factory from 'criminal' closure, demand union chiefs

Unite's battle bid was launched yesterday in an emotional meeting with workers at The Pavilion Club on Stafford Road.

More than 50 employees packed into the meeting a week after the tyre firm announced it was closing the landmark factory in Bushbury Lane with the loss of all 330 jobs in 2017.

Unite said it wanted to hold a series of meetings with Goodyear bosses in the hope of changing their minds and saving the factory's 'good and honest' workers. It comes after a taskforce of council chiefs, education providers and job experts was established to support the workers.

An emotional Cyril Barrett, 65, chairman of the Unite branch at Goodyear, has worked in the factory for 38 years.

"What Goodyear has done and announced over the past week absolutely guts me - it is a disgrace and it is criminal," the 65-year-old said.

"Several workers affected have been coming to me in tears because they are worried about the future and the impact it will have on their families.

"The way you are being treated is disgusting and we will be with you every step of the way.

"For them to say most of the workers affected will be over 55 and close to retirement is nothing short of a pure insult to you. You are good, honest people who deserve much better than this.

"We will do everything possible to support all of you. We will fight these proposals as hard as we can."

Andy Taylor, regional officer for Unite, added: "Our action plan starts now with the launch of this campaign.

"We cannot afford to sit down and do nothing. That doesn't mean what we do will change anything but if we show we are fighting then it could change things in the future."

Goodyear is currently consulting with staff over the closure. It said it would not be commenting further while that process was ongoing.

The company has been in Wolverhampton for 90 years.

In the 1980s, the factory employed 6,500 people making tyres for cars, trucks, tractors and even race-winning Formula 1 teams. At that time Goodyear was one of the city's biggest employers.

But its workers on site were cut by thousands as tyre production was steadily stripped away and transferred to other factories in Europe.

And worried workers told the Express & Star they feared for the future following the announcement and said they were hurt by the way Goodyear have handled the situation.

Mark Jenkins, who currently works at the factory, said managers had told him previously no jobs would be lost.

"I was told at at a European meeting held in May that no jobs would be lost at any plant then a few weeks later they dropped this on us," he said.

"They have lied to us all and we need to fight this together."

Ivan Palmer, 53 from Wood Avenue, Wednesfield, who has worked at the factory for more than 20 years, added: "I'll be 55 by the time it closes for good - what chance is there of me getting a job then?

"I'm at totally the wrong age for this to happen and it worries me how I'll move on from this."

Robert Theaker, 52, from Parkhill Road, Wolverhampton said he found out he was going to lose his job from a friend.

"This is something which has just landed on all of us and I think it is a disgrace the way we have been treated," he said.

"I first heard the news through a friend which I thought was professionally poor from Goodyear. I think the press knew about it before we did."

Paul Baugh, 54, Unite branch secretary at Goodyear who has worked at the factory for nearly 30 years, said: "I've had sleepless nights since the announcement was made. Goodyear has been a huge part of my life, I don't know where else I could work.

"This is a decision which is going to affect many people who are worried about where they will go after 2017. That's if 2017 remains the closing date, it could be sooner."

In a statement last week, Goodyear's UK managing director Erich Fric said the firm had 'no alternative' but to propose the closure of the plant.

He said: "We have announced proposals to close our production facility in Wolverhampton both mixing and retread and this is in response to economic pressures.

"We understand the impact the closure of Wolverhampton would have. However we believe these proposals are needed to strengthen our competitiveness and ensure we have a sustainable business.

"We will honour our responsibilities and we will do everything we can to support all employees who are affected."