First Minister the Rt. Hon Peter D Robinson MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MLA today said the news of closure of Michelin is a bleak day for Ballymena.
The Ministers said: “The closure of Michelin in Ballymena is a devastating development for the workers, their families and indeed the wider Ballymena area.
“Michelin currently employ 860 people who have given years of service producing quality products which were exported worldwide. The Executive will make every effort to alleviate the impact of the job losses and ensure the necessary support is available to those affected directly and indirectly.
“Just over a year ago the workers of JTI Gallaher in Ballymena received similar news and so this combined with today’s announcement is a real body blow to the local economy.
“The Executive is willing to meet with management, workers, trade unions and all local representatives to see if there is anything further we as an Executive can do.”
