Audi works council in Brussels yields little result, unions demand “clear end date” from management

The unions are still disappointed after the special works council, which lasted more than 3 hours. “We had asked for clarity about potential investors,” says Ronny Liedts from the Christian trade union ACV-metea. “The board has said the same thing as last time, that it is not a viable plan and they do not want to move forward with it.”

It worries the unions that the management does not want to say who the potential investor is and exactly what the plans are. They speak of “deaf man’s speech”. Liedts now wants to go to the Ministry of Labor because it is alleged that the Renault Act (which deals with the abolition of collective bargaining, ed.) is not being respected.

“They need to bring clarity to the table,” says Liedts. The management then protects itself with confidentiality agreements.

Peter D’hoore, spokesperson for Audi Brussels, confirms that the “information and consultation process” is still ongoing. “As long as that is true, we cannot make a final decision,” he says. “If there are potential investors with a viable plan, they are still welcome to come forward.”