German union “not giving up” on Michelin sites

Mainz, Germany – The IGBCE trade union has called for alternative strategies to the German tire plant closures and other restructuring measures announced by Michelin. ( ERJ report )

"We will not accept the [1,500] job cuts and plant closures so easily," said Matthias Hille, group manager and head of the IGBCE Mainz district, about the cutbacks unveiled by the French group 28 Nov.

"The planned clear-cutting is wrong,” insisted the union official. "Instead of shutting down plants in a hurry, clever strategies are needed to react to the changed conditions."

The IGBCE is “not giving up on the locations and will continue to work on alternative concepts," continued Hille, adding that Michelin must put “people at the centre and remain in dialogue with us."

The union also noted Goodyear’s recently announced plans to close its tire plants in Fulda and Fürstenwalde, as well as Continental moves to end production in Aachen by the end of 2023.

IGBCE board member Francesco Grioli rejected the tire makers’ arguments about the need for plant closures in Germany due to increasing competitive pressures, rising energy costs and overcapacities on the market.

"We expect a clear commitment to the German locations and more commitment to the employees... even in economically difficult times,” stated Grioli.