Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper): Audi Brussels will close its factory in Vorst on February 28, 2025, affecting 3,000 workers. discussions for a support plan have stopped, with unions rejecting a €5,000 bonus offer. They criticized the plan for excluding long-term sick workers and not allowing enough negotiation time.
Audi Brussels in Vorst will shut down at the end of February, affecting 3,000 employees. Discussions about a social plan for the workers began in November but have been difficult. After unions rejected another proposal from management last week, management is now trying to communicate directly with the employees. A final meeting occurred yesterday with a mediator from the FPS Employment, Labour, and Social Dialogue, but it ended without agreement.
What will happen to Audi Brussels workers after closure in February 2025?
According to Peter D’hoore, the spokesperson for Audi Brussels, the recent meeting didn’t lead to any agreement, so their offer to employees will stay the same when they present it next year. The unions, including CNE, ACV Metea, BBTK, and ABVV-Metaal, called it a final offer that cannot be changed. It includes an extra 5,000 euros for each employee but requires them to sign an agreement right away and hold a meeting by Friday, which they feel is not practical and also leaves out long-term sick workers.
Unions stated that they couldn’t negotiate effectively due to pressure and a lack of time to consider their options. They also criticized the exclusion of long-term sick workers as unfair discrimination. Audi Brussels plans to offer a company bonus to employees based on their seniority.
