Unions and management at Audi Brussels reached an agreement on Monday on the redundancy plan for staff affected by the closure of the car plant in Forest, a management spokesman said, reports Belga News Agency. Some union members say the agreement falls short of expectations.
Production at Audi Brussels, which employs around 3,000 people, is due to cease for good at the end of February. After almost four months of negotiations, the two parties have finally found common ground. Management said on Monday that it had slightly adapted its final proposal, which was approved by the unions.
"This result will have required a great deal of effort on the part of all those involved in the negotiations," commented Thomas Bogus, CEO of Audi Brussels, in a press release. "But in the end, everyone came to their senses and put the workers at the heart of the negotiations."
The company's redundancy plan includes various support measures, such as an unemployment scheme with company top-up, a coaching programme and outplacement services.
In addition to the statutory redundancy pay, the German carmaker will distribute a company bonus, the amount of which will be determined on the basis of the employee's length of service. Employees with 30 years' seniority will receive total compensation of between €200,000 and €400,000 gross, depending on their position and salary.
However, according to FGTB union delegate, Pascal Debrulle, the sums announced by management for 30 years' service do not reflect the reality of the majority of workers. "These figures concern executives and very high earners. A normal blue-collar worker would never go for these amounts," he said.
Debrulle laments that while the plan appears "acceptable" for older workers, it is not more generous for the others, particularly in view of Audi's financial situation.
