Up to 200 jobs at risk at aircraft tyre factory
Up to 200 jobs are at risk at a tyre factory in Birmingham, with Covid-19 and air travel restrictions blamed for a fall in orders.
Up to 199 roles could be axed at Dunlop Aircraft Tyres in Erdington while 21 new roles will be created, the GMB trade union said.
Almost 450 people are employed at the company’s Erdington headquarters.
Chief executive Gordon Roper told the BBC that the company cannot afford its current level of staffing after the impact of restrictions on air travel globally due to the coronavirus lockdown.
He blamed a “sharp reduction” in demand and warned that the air travel industry would not “return to normality for a number of years”.
A 45-day consultation process with the union is underway, with Dunlop adding that the potential for 199 job losses was a “worst case scenario for a prolonged downturn in the industry”.
Rebecca Mitchell, GMB organiser, said: “We’re incredibly disappointed to see proposed job cuts at Dunlop.
“We’ve arranged emergency talks with the company this Friday and will be in a better position to respond to the proposals after this. Whatever happens, we will continue to fight for our members’ jobs.”
