Union considers legal action against Audi Brussels management

The CNE union is considering legal action against the management of Audi Brussels after an extraordinary works council meeting on Tuesday failed to produce any results.

The CNE's permanent secretary for industry, Ludovic Pineur, said that during the meeting "Audi Brussels once again failed to provide any concrete information about potential investors and, worse still, refused to give us any documentation in this regard".

In July, Audi Brussels announced plans to restructure its Forest site, which currently employs around 3,000 people. The German carmaker cited a slowdown in demand for the Q8 e-tron electric models produced in Brussels.

Search for buyer

In September, it was confirmed that there were no plans to produce any Volkswagen Group car models at the Forest site in the coming years. A meeting between management and unions on 17 September confirmed that Audi Brussels had found no other economically viable use for the plant.

The German carmaker has said the closure of the site would mean the loss of 1,500 jobs this month, followed by more than 1,100 next year. Imperial Logistics, a supplier to Audi Brussels, is also facing a collective lay-off affecting 295 employees. 

The search for a buyer has so far been unsuccessful, Audi confirmed on Tuesday. Audi Brussels spokesperson Peter D'hoore said a potential investor had shown interest but its plan "did not turn out to be viable" even after requested adjustments were made.

Solid social plan

At the latest extraordinary works council meeting on Tuesday, the unions felt their concerns about the future of the factory had not been taken into account. Unions and management will meet again on Wednesday to discuss the social plan for staff.

Outgoing prime minister Alexander De Croo has called on management and unions to "develop a short-term plan that gives people prospects for 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.

^{An Audi Brussels worker during a union demonstration in Brussels, 16 September 2024 © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM}

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