BUSINESS leaders, trade unions and politicians will join forces next week in a bid to save the Michelin tyre factory in Dundee from closure, with the loss of almost 850 jobs.
The 16-strong action group, set up in the wake of the shock announcement by the factory’s French owners that it wanted to shut the plant by mid-2020, will have its first meeting on Monday.
READ MORE: Kicked in the teeth: fight starts for Dundee Michelin staff shocked by closure
Scottish Enterprise chief executive, Steve Dunlop, and John Alexander, the leader of Dundee City Council, were yesterday named group leaders as the Scottish Government announced the group’s membership.
READ MORE: Anger as Michelin factory workers discover closure through online leak
Leading business figures form the backbone of the group, with Professor Keith Ridgway, Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, Sarah Jardine, chair of the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service Board, Ellis Watson and Tim Allan, from the Tay Cities Enterprise Forum, Dundee Chamber of Commerce chief executive Alison Henderson and Damien Yeates, chief executive of Skills Development Scotland, and Michelin plant manager in Dundee, John Reid, all taking part.
The union Unite will be represented by Marc Jackson, Michelin Dundee convener, Dougie Maguire, regional co-ordinating officer, regional officer Bob Macgregor and Davie Brady, the branch convener.
Dundee City Council chief executive, David Martin, will also have a seat, as will Economy and Finance Secretary Derek Mackay and Scottish Secretary David Mundell.
Although Michelin wants to close the factory, bosses have agreed to consider any proposals brought forward by the end of this month, following Mackay’s intervention.
Mackay said: “I have been clear that the Scottish Government will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to find a viable and sustainable future for the plant and its highly skilled workforce.
“The Michelin Action Group will work tirelessly in the coming weeks to explore all options and provide Michelin with a proposition that demonstrates what support can offered, be it business rates or financial aid, to help retain a presence in Dundee.
“Working with the workforce and industry experts, the group will examine how the plant could be repurposed for the future if Michelin decide to press ahead with the closure.”
Alexander said the group would hit the ground running, and added: “It is imperative that the membership of the action group reflects stakeholders, experience and those with an ability to find solutions.”
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