Goodyear closure: Action plan for hundreds of workers facing the axe
An action plan is being put in place to support hundreds of workers who will lose their jobs at Wolverhampton's Goodyear factory.
Council and union bosses were among those to meet with senior management at the tyre firm on Thursday, after the company confirmed the closure of the historic plant with the loss of more than 300 jobs.
A taskforce put together by Wolverhampton council had hoped to persuade Goodyear to find a way to keep the 88-year-old site open.
But this week, workers were told the devastating news that the plant in Bushbury Lane will shut completely by January 2017.
The announcement came after a consultation period with workers and union officials.
Unite regional secretary Gerard Coyne has described the consultation over the closure of the plant as 'nothing short of a sham' and said workers feel 'betrayed' by the company.
The first round of redundancies at the mixing and re-treading base are likely to be made on New Year's Eve.
The firm has yet to reach an agreement with the union Unite on the redundancy settlement for staff and in the meantime, the taskforce will work together on delivering recruitment and retraining support, as well as careers guidance, interview skills preparation and pension planning.
Councillor John Reynolds, cabinet member for city economy, said: "Confirmation earlier this week of Goodyear's Stafford Road plant closure is a serious blow.
"Our thoughts, as they have been all the way through this process, are with the workers affected and their families.
"While Goodyear and the union are still negotiating settlement figures, the taskforce recognises it can now start putting into place effective measures to help those affected by the decision.
"It is crucial there is a co-ordinated approach to providing a one-stop shop for the workers affected to seek advice and support on their futures.
"Goodyear has chosen to end their long association with the city but we must remember there are reasons for optimism as well with a number of major employers moving to the area in recent times, such as Jaguar Land Rover and Wiggle.
"These companies bring with them a number of job opportunities which the highly-skilled Goodyear workforce may be able to take on."
The taskforce includes council bosses, Emma Reynolds MP, representatives from Goodyear, Unite, Job Centre Plus, the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, Black Country Chamber of Commerce and City of Wolverhampton College.
It will also have an input into a Goodyear jobs fair which is set to be held during the week of November 23 for staff facing unemployment in December.
Wolverhampton North East MP Emma Reynolds added: "The confirmation that Goodyear is to go ahead with closures is a bitter blow for the workers, their families and for our city.
"The taskforce must ensure that every employee is given the best support, help and training possible so that they can move into another job."
Those who would like to contribute to the November jobs fair should contact Goodyear Dunlop HR department via email to sarah_smith@goodyear.com
