Bruges (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Alstom train union members based in Bruges show concern about NMBS’s preference for Spanish train manufacturers. Alstom operates from the former Bombardier manufacturing facilities in Bruges.
Alstom Bruges, which previously operated as Bombardier Bruges, risks losing its major contract with the Belgian National Railway Company (NMBS) to CAF, the Spanish competitor. This large contract amounts to 3.4 billion euros for multiple train constructions. An official decision regarding the contract has not yet been made, but CAF is the primary front-runner. Unions operating at Alstom Bruges have expressed fear about what the potential loss of employment and business stability will mean for their region.
“We were stunned,”
Says Freddy Bakker of the joint union front.
“Nothing has been decided definitively by the board of directors of the NMBS, but CAF appears to have an advantage.”
And that is quite remarkable, Bakker thinks, since Alstom is a lot cheaper than CAF.
“This is a mega order, we call it ‘an order of the century’. On such a large amount we are about 100 million euros cheaper. That counts, in times when NMBS also has to save. While CAF only scores 0.4 percent better than us in technical terms.”
“If you can save so much money, I don’t really understand why they want to place an order with a Spanish competitor. We wonder whether they have taken local employment into account. The trains are paid for with government subsidies, so with the tax money of the Belgian population.”
“This was a European tender, but still… If such an order were to be placed in France or Germany, choosing a foreign supplier would not even be an option.”
Alstom employs 700 people in Bruges and 1,200 in Charleroi.
“Today we are still busy with the production of the M7 trains, that is an order from the NMBS that is still running. NMBS is satisfied with the quality and the driving ability. With the orders that have now been confirmed, we have job security until the middle of next year.”
What is the background of Alstom Bruges and the NMBS contract?
Alstom Bruges operates as Bombardier Bruges today and serves as a crucial force in Belgium’s railway manufacturing industry with its 700 Bruges staff members and 1,200 associates in Charleroi. The production of M7 trains for NMBS at 3.4 billion euros has earned recognition for their high quality and excellent performance. Alstom confronts an uncertain future because NMBS evaluates
Spanish train maker CAF was awarded a new contract for hundreds of trains. Alstom submitted a lower bid worth approximately 100 million euros, but NMBS decided to choose another supplier. Belgian taxpayers finance the project while concerns rise about keeping local jobs and selecting suppliers from within Belgium. Job security exists for Alstom employees through existing orders until 2024, but new contracts have become essential to maintaining workforce stability.
