The CNE union is considering legal action against Audi Brussels management, after an extraordinary works council meeting on Tuesday yielded no results.
CNE's permanent industry secretary, Ludovic Pineur, said that during the meeting "Audi Brussels once again failed to present any concrete information regarding potential investors and, worse, refused to provide us with any documentation in this regard."
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 were 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 had found no other economically viable use for the plant.
The German car manufacturer has said that closure of the site would mean the loss of 1,500 jobs this month, followed by more than 1,100 next year.
Currently a buyer is being sought for the plant. Just one investor has come forward with a proposal for the future of the factory in Forest, although Audi Brussels management has said their initial plan for the site was not viable.
The potential buyer is Belgian, and has said they are prepared to take over 1,500 of the site's almost 3,000 workers. The buyer has been given additional time to refine their offer.
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During the latest extraordinary works council meeting on Tuesday, unions felt that their concerns about the future of the factory were not being acknowledged.
"For CNE Industry, the first phase of the Renault law on information and consultation has not been respected, as we have received no information," said Pineur. "Given our lack of trust in management, which has lied to us several times, we must consider legal action."
Both unions and management will meet again on Wednesday to discuss the social plan for workers.
Outgoing Prime Minister Alexander De Croo has called on management and unions to "develop a short term plan that gives people a perspective on the future." He has stressed the importance of a solid social plan that protects the interests of the employees of Audi Brussels and its many suppliers.
