Scottish Catholic Observer

The Bishop of Dunkeld has offered his support and prayers to all workers and their families affected by the closure of the Michelin plant in the city and the loss of 845 jobs.

Bishop Stephen Robson issued the statement while attending the three-day Bishops’ Conference in Schoenstatt.

The tyre company announced the devastating blow for Dundee on Monday November 5. The factory will close by mid-2020 after the French firm deemed it ‘unsuitable’ in the current climate.

Bishop Robson said: “I am dismayed to hear that the Michelin plant which has been such a significant employer in Dundee for years and which employs almost 1,000 people is to close.

“My heart goes out to all those who will be directly affected and to their families.

“Our parish priests will be ready to support and help those affected in any way they can and I join them in offering all those affected by such a devastating loss of jobs, the promise of my prayers for their future.”

Scotland’s economy secretary Derek Mackay said he would convene an action group to ‘explore all options to secure a sustainable future for the site.’

Workers were sent home until Thursday following a meeting at the factory.

Workers of the tyre plant spoke of a ‘sombre and subdued’ mood at the meeting, which came 46 years to the day after the first tyre was produced at the factory.

The union Unite has said the closure would be a ‘hammer-blow’ to the city.

Michelin said the Dundee site, which opened in 1971 and specialised in smaller tyres, has suffered because of a shift in the market towards low-cost products from Asia.