Michelin Ask Dundee Staff to Take Time off

Local news sources in Scotland have reported that Michelin has requested its 800 employees in the French giant’s Dundee plant to volunteer to take three days off. The company wants its workforce in the city to take leave on half pay over a ten day period at the end of November, so that the factory can remain in a “robust state”.

Member of Scottish Parliament, Marilyn Glen stated that, “Michelin is an important employer in Dundee and I can only hope it really is a one-off measure, and that the circumstances for production will improve when the situation is reassessed. My thoughts are with the workers and their families, who must be concerned about their futures, especially in the run-up to Christmas. Michelin has a good reputation as an employer and producer and I’m sure they will weather the economic storm. They have been trying to run down their stocks, so I can understand it.”

Michelin’s factory spokesman, head of personnel, Ian Peart told news sources that everyone – including the factory’s management – had been asked to volunteer and that, while Michelin had not set a target for the number of volunteers needed, he hoped there would be a “positive response”. He was also keen to squash rumours that the move could be a sign of worse to follow: “There are no job losses foreseen at this moment in time and, concerning though this is, there’s nothing on the horizon. Like everyone else, we’re watching the economy slip into recession and those markets will come back at some point, but we’ve no idea when that will be. What is clear is that it’s not just a Michelin Dundee problem but one that’s common in the global tyre industry.”

Unite union representative Dave Brady told local newspapers that employees should be aware that, “They have a choice to do this or not.” Michelin has not – as yet – made the temporary leave compulsory.