Closure plans at Goodyear: protest actions begin
The IG BCE trade union will not accept plans to close Goodyear's tire production plant in East Brandenburg. It will launch protest actions and organize alliances for the preservation of tire production in Fürstenwalde, the union announced on Thursday after the closure plans became known. A day of action in front of the Federal Ministry of Finance is planned for November 24. The IG BCE called on state and federal politicians to secure industrial jobs in Fürstenwalde, Fulda and throughout Germany.
The tire manufacturer Goodyear wants to cease production at the plant in Fürstenwalde. The company in Hanau announced on Thursday that it would be phasing out tire production at the site by the end of 2027. According to a spokesperson, 750 jobs are expected to be cut. The plant in Fürstenwalde therefore has around 930 employees. The so-called mixing plant in Fürstenwalde, where rubber compounds are produced, is to be retained. The IG BCE trade union spoke of a major shock. Brandenburg's Economics Minister Jörg Steinbach (SPD) also wants to intervene.
The plant in Fulda is also to close. This is planned by the end of September 2025. A total of 1050 jobs are to be lost there.
"This is a difficult but necessary decision in order to reduce overcapacity and bring our production structure in line with demand," the company announced on Thursday. Cheap imports from Asia and persistent inflationary pressure were cited as reasons for the difficult situation.
The union is urging state and federal politicians to find solutions that maintain industrial jobs, not just in Fürstenwalde, but also in Fulda and other parts of Germany. In their search for alternatives, the IG BCE may need to collaborate with reliable suppliers to ensure a stable supply of necessary materials for tire production.
Source: www.dpa.com
