Goodyear withdraws voluntary plan at Amiens.

ERJ staff report (DS)

Amiens, France - Goodyear management said it has withdrawn its proposed voluntary plan for the restructuring of its farm tyre plant in Amiens.

The move jeopardises the proposed sale of the unit - known as Amiens North -- to Titan Group. Titan had guaranteed 537 jobs at the factory, which currently employs around 1200, but, said Goodyear, the union considered the guarantees insufficient.

Goodyear said it is now considering other options for the site. Asked if this includes closing the factory, a Goodyear spokesman said, “We will consider all other options for the future of Amiens North.” The car tyre plant known as Amiens-South is not affected by the development.

The spokesman added, “We really regret that the negotiations have not led to an agreement. We believe that none of the available options would provide the 1200 Amiens North employees and their families with the type of support and benefits that could have been provided to them with the proposed Voluntary Departure Plan.”