Sandrine Prioul, edited by Louis Epaulard // Credit photo: Laetitia Notarianni / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP
8.19pm, 05 November 2024modified to
After the announcement this Tuesday of the closure of the Michelin factories in Cholet and Vannes by 2026, leading to the elimination of 1,254 jobs, angry employees decided to strike in Cholet (Maine-et-Loire). Employees of the world's leading tire manufacturer attempted to blockade the factory and set tires on fire.
It's a black Tuesday for jobs. The world leader in tire manufacturing, Michelin, has announced that it will close two of its factories by 2026. With the closure of the Cholet and Vannes sites, 1,254 positions will be eliminated. The company's employees are angry and made it known with a strike in front of the Cholet factory, in Maine-et-Loire. The employees did not hesitate to set tires on fire and try to block access to the factory.
Employees in shock
After Michelin's announcement, David, an employee of the company, tried to organize a blockade of the factory but the employees were completely stunned: “We have to fight to show management that we are not ready to let us do it. It was very brutal. We were told about reducing the workforce and overnight we learned that the workforce was going to be zero.” Before adding: “My father has worked at Michelin since 1972. I have been here since 1992.”
“My case is the case of dozens of Michelin employees. We built with our parents, they built this company and there, overnight, we are told it's over for you.”, s 'exclaims David. Let's go for the three eights in front of the factory, a blockage which must last “as long as it takes to ensure”, he says, “pressure on the management of Michelin”.
But the unions have already been able to find the support of Mayor Gilles Bourdouleix: “There is this human aspect that we neglect because we have governments that have done nothing for years. It's blabla. I I heard the local MP who explained that he was going to refer the matter to the Economic Affairs Committee but who cares!” Before continuing: “What we want is action, to prevent this human tragedy, to prevent this economic tragedy.” The mayor also asks Michelin to take responsibility for 1,200 families, and even Michelin couples. But it's on the floor.
