Goodyear Dunlop reportedly plans to dissolve its contract with 7,500 German employees. The contract, which has been in existence for the past 17 years, made sure that the company’s seven German sites were retained, along with protecting employees from business-related layoffs.

While no reason has been given for the dissolution of the contract, there are suggestions the management wants “to be able to more flexibly respond to market conditions” in future, Tyrepress reported, citing Osthessen News.

Goodyear Dunlop Tyres Germany’s Central Works Council chairman Jörg Pohl said the termination of the contract is a “blow in the face to the employees who have worked for the company with above-average commitment for many years”.

However, the company said it has no plans to lay off workers or close plants.