Goodyear worker goes to Obama for change

Wayne Devaney, one of 330 people set to lose their jobs after it was announced the firm would be closing its site on Bushbury Lane by 2017, wrote a letter to the President bemoaning the lack of loyalty showed by bosses at the company.

Union chiefs have already started a battle against the closure, which they have labelled 'criminal' but Mr Devaney, of Yale Drive, Wednesfield, went one step higher.

His letter to the most powerful man in the world reads: "We are one of the most flexible workforces in the world. We are loyal, hardworking and, we believe we are the best. Why shut us down?

"Sadly there is no loyalty in business it seems. We believe the company is acting unfairly.

"I ask you sir is there anything you can do to help us please?

"We hope that justice extends beyond your borders."

Mr Devaney, 53, has been working with Goodyear for 28 years.

His letter to Mr Obama is just one example of workers fighting to keep their jobs, with 805 people signing a petition set up by staff on change.org, which will eventually be sent to David Cameron.

Mr Devaney said: "I don't want us to go out with a whimper.

"Rather than starting from the bottom and only getting coverage before it is too late, we wanted to start at the top, with the people who really can make a difference.

"I love this job, it is all I know and that is the same for a lot of people at the factory.

"The campaign is making tremendous progress, people are really starting to take notice of what we are doing and the hardship this will cause people.

"What kind of message does this send out to young people?

"You can work hard, meet your targets, be a fantastic workforce and after all of this, you are going to lose your job."

The firm announced the closure of the plant last month.

This week, the Express & Star revealed that the company is offering staff laid off the chance to apply for new jobs in Mexico.

A notice has appeared on the factory floor offering staff further opportunities more than 5,000 miles away at its new tyre plant in Central America.

It invites workers to apply for positions in the human resources, production and quality departments at the Mexican plant, which is set to open at the same time the Wolverhampton site closes.

The advert has been described as a 'kick in the teeth' by staff, while Andy Taylor, regional officer for Unite, said described it as 'crazy'.

The plant in Mexico is expected to cost around $550million and will be based in the central state of San Luis Potosi – 5,380 miles from Wolverhampton. It will employ 1,000 workers and is expected to produce tyres for the growing market in the Americas.