Goodyear closure: Call for fair deal for workforce
Workers at Goodyear in Wolverhampton have been praised for their fight to save the plant - despite a decision made this week to close the plant.
Under a phased plan the famous tyre manufacturing plant, in Bushbury Lane, will shut completely by January 2017.
More than 300 people will lose their jobs after it was confirmed by bosses on Tuesday that the plant will definitely close.
Former city mayor, Councillor Phil Bateman, who represents Wednesfield North, said: "I have heard that Goodyear's American owners have confirmed that they will be closing the company despite the heroic campaign waged by its Wolverhampton workforce.
"The workers have my sympathy.
"Now I hope that the trade unions can drive an equally hard deal over redundancy and severance pay.
"I have the greatest admiration for those that have designed and run the campaign to keep the factory open, and to all those Wulfunians that have supported their endeavours.
"It is a sad time for the workers and their family.
"It is also a sad time for Wolverhampton which has a 90 year old relationship with this company"
