Trade union FGTB Metal has called for an urgent meeting of the federal task force dedicated to the closure of Audi Brussels, as the carmaker is set to receive final bids from potential buyers for the factory in the coming days.
Hillal Sor, secretary general of FGTB Metal, said in a press release that Audi cannot be allowed to "decide alone the future of the Brussels site". The socialist union wants public authorities to be included in discussions about the factory’s future and the assessment of candidates seeking to take over the Forest site.
In July, Audi Brussels announced plans to restructure its site in Forest, which currently employs around 3,000 people. The German carmaker cited a slowdown in demand for the electric Q8 e-tron models produced in Brussels.
By September, it was confirmed that there are no plans to produce any Volkswagen Group car models at its Forest site in the coming years. A meeting between management and trade unions on Tuesday 17 September confirmed that Audi Brussels has found no other economically viable use for the plant.
This means that finding an investor is now the only realistic hope to prevent closure, and the potential loss of 1,500 jobs from October, followed by a further 1,100 in 2025.
Who will take it on?
Audi Brussels’ management is awaiting applications from potential buyers until 23 September. According to L’Écho and De Tijd, among the interested parties are Chinese car manufacturer NIO and Belgium’s VW importer, the D’Ieteren Group.
FGTB Metal said it is concerned about Audi making unilateral decisions regarding such a strategic industrial site. "We hope Audi’s management is not aiming for a lucrative real estate deal with this site. That would be irresponsible," Sor said.
The socialist union is calling for a swift meeting of the task force created this summer by the federal government to find a sustainable solution for the Forest plant’s future.
Similarly, the CSC union declared on Thursday that its main goal is to preserve all jobs, including those of subcontractors.
"We want quality jobs but more importantly, sustainable ones," commented Ludovic Pineur of the Christian union, urging caution regarding the "publicity stunts" around potential buyers for the Forest site.
