Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper): Negotiations at Audi Brussels have stopped, putting nearly 3,000 jobs at risk as the factory closes on February 28, 2025. Gerd Walker is disappointed that unions rejected their severance offer.
Negotiations for a social plan at Audi Brussels in Vorst have stopped because the company has not found a buyer for its factory. This situation could put nearly 3,000 jobs at risk. After weeks of discussions, unions and management have not agreed. As a result, management is now talking directly to the employees. The proposed plan includes required severance pay and bonuses for long-serving staff. However, there are still disagreements about whether the plan is enough to secure employees’ financial future.
How will Audi Brussels’ closure impact 3,000 jobs and workers’ rights?
Audi Brussels has set aside a budget for severance payments and bonuses that is more than double what is legally required. A company spokesperson said they want to fairly support their workers during this tough time. However, management decided to speak directly to employees instead of working with unions, which may cause more problems. They mentioned that this situation shows the difficulty of balancing company decisions and workers’ rights as nearly 3,000 employees face uncertainty about their jobs.
According to the spokesperson, they believe employees will see the value in their offer. Gerd Walker, who oversees production at Audi, expressed disappointment that unions rejected their latest and improved proposal. He assured that each employee will receive a fair severance payment in addition to the legal amount, aiming to support those who have worked hard for Audi as they transition to new jobs.
