8 Jun 2012
By David Shaw, ERJ staff
Amiens, France - The CGT union has claimed victory at Goodyear's agricultural tyre factory in Amiens. The news may clear the way to a sale of Goodyear's European agricultural tyre business to Titan International Inc. Goodyear, however, declined to confirm the CGT version of events.
The CGT said Goodyear management issued a press release saying there will be no forced layoffs at the factory. This was reinforced by a series of reports in French newspapers which appear to have seen the document.
ERJ requested the release, but Goodyear said in a statement that it declined to confirm the reports. A senior spokesman added, “ I can confirm that the negotiations initiated some months ago with CGT Amiens North are continuing in order to achieve a common position for the future of the Amiens North plant. It remains our goal to divest the Farm business.†The spokesman said Goodyear would not add to the statement until negotiations are concluded.
He ignored a specific request for the press statement in the French language, saying, "I do not want to give more information on the ongoing negotiations at this stage."
The CGT website says (in the French language) that Goodyear management statement said, "there is no question of forced layoffs but only a voluntary
separation plan". CGT claimed the statement continued, "The discussion will concern only the possibility of attrition
accompanied by substantial benefits ".
The affected plant is Amiens North, where Goodyear makes agricultural tyres. The dispute is not connected with the former Dunlop plant at Amiens South, which makes passenger car tyres.
Goodyear has been trying to sell its European agri business for some years, but negotiations have stalled as potential buyers have sought clarity over the employment situation at Amiens North. The leading contender to buy the business is Titan International Inc.
Goodyear has been negotiating with the CGT and other unions since January 2008 when it announced an aggressive plan to cut 500 jobs, following the unions' rejection in October 2007 of a restructuring plan. Goodyear then put the European agri business up for sale in May 2009 expecting to receive around $17 million at the time. Negotiations stalled, however, when the unions at Amiens declined to cooperate during the transfer of ownership.
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CGT website announcing victory
(French language)
auto-translated into English (from French)
Le miracle des Goodyear d'Amiens
La Nouvelle Republique (France)
The miracle of Amiens Goodyear
Above story auto-translated into English (from French)
La direction de Goodyear renonce au plan de licenciement
atlantico (France)
The management of Goodyear waives layoff plan (Amiens)
Above story auto-translated into English (from French)
Goodyear qui rit, Surcouf qui pleure
La Tribune (France)
Goodyear laughs; Surcouf cries
Above story auto-translated into English (from French)
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