Employees at Audi Brussels Factory Protest Working Conditions
Hundreds of Workers at Audi Brussels Protest Factory Closure
In Belgium, labor unions have called for protests as the Audi Brussels factory faces closure at the end of February. Hundreds of workers gathered in front of the facility to demand more assurance from the factory management.
The workers expressed their disappointment with Audi’s decision to directly make offers to employees instead of going through union representatives. The factory, where the luxury electric car model Q8 is produced, currently employs around 3,000 people.
Back in July, Audi announced the restructuring of the Brussels factory due to a decrease in demand, with production of these models moving to Mexico. By September, it was revealed that no models were allocated to the Brussels factory for production by the Volkswagen Group, causing concern among workers and unions.
In response to the impending closure, employees took action by confiscating keys to cars that were not yet completed. Despite efforts to find new investors for the factory, over 20 potential buyers were contacted but no suitable buyer was found.
Negotiations between factory management and union representatives regarding a “social plan” for employees have hit a roadblock, leading Audi management to make direct offers to workers. These offers include legal severance pay and bonuses based on length of service.
Unions have voiced their opposition to Audi’s decision to bypass union representatives in making offers to workers, adding to the tension surrounding the factory closure. The future of the Audi Brussels factory remains uncertain as workers continue their fight for better assurance and support during this challenging time.
