Bruges (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Alstom’s Bruges plant, employing 600 staff, held a delayed works council meeting. Unions and employees fear job cuts after losing the NMBS/SNCB train contract to Spain’s CAF.
As VRT News reported, a special works council meeting is taking place at Alstom’s train factory in Bruges. The meeting was supposed to start at 11:00 a.m., but it was delayed by 1.5 hours. The delay added tension among workers and union representatives. Extraordinary works council meetings happen when management plans major changes. During these sessions, the company presents its plans directly to the unions.
What Job cuts are looming at Alstom Bruges after the NMBS/SNCB Contract Loss?
No official announcements have been made yet, but concerns are rising that some positions may be cut. Union sources say employees are preparing for possible job losses. Many staff members are worried about their current roles and future staffing at the Bruges plant.
Alstom’s train factory in Bruges employs around 600 people. About 23 of them have permanent contracts. It is not yet known how many jobs could be lost. The uncertainty is raising concerns among staff and union representatives.
Earlier this year, Alstom lost an important contract with NMBS/SNCB. The Spanish company CAF won the order to build new trains for the Belgian railways. The setback has caused worry among employees at the Bruges plant. Many fear it could affect the site’s workload and long-term stability.
The establishment of Alstom in Bruges dates back to the 1970s, when its production and assembly plant began operating. The plant has since evolved into an important supplier of trains for the Belgian National Railway, NMBS/SNCB, and for exporting to the rest of Europe.
Expansion occurred throughout the 1990s-2000s, resulting in additional assembly lines and maintenance capabilities. Recently, there has been significant competition from European competitor companies, including CAF and Siemens.
