Cost-Cutting Proposals Rejected By Michelin Workers?

Local newspaper the Burnley Express has reported that workers at Michelin’s Burnley tyre factory have rejected cost-cutting proposals put forward by management. An unnamed worker told the paper that the proposals would have affected 450 shop floor workers, with a 25% reduction in the shift allowance for working anti-social hours and some workers with variable contracts moving from a four-day working week to three days. He also said that the proposal had been rejected by other Michelin workers in the UK, except for the Dundee plant, where the vote was evenly divided.

The situation was complicated by a statement from union representative at the factory Mick Cambey, who said that there were several proposals on offer and they have been neither accepted nor rejected. “Negotiations are at a very delicate stage” Cambey is quoted as saying, and unions and management are due to meet on 29 January for further discussions. A Michelin spokesman told the paper: “The company and unions are continuing their discussions to try and resolve pay and conditions issues.

These talks are being supported by feedback from employees, resulting from a series of presentations to staff.” This news follows Michelin’s announcement last November that production of new car and van tyres was to cease at the company’s Stoke-on-Trent factory, with the loss of 950 jobs..