The management of Brussels Airlines announced in a press release Friday that it had reached an agreement with the social partners on the restructuring. The agreement preserves 75% of jobs, divided equally between the departments, underlines the management.
An agreement in principle had already been reached on Wednesday. It was officially signed in works council on Friday. Some 1,000 out of 4,000 jobs are at risk within the airline. This reorganization will focus as much as possible on voluntary departures and early retirement in order to limit dry layoffs. For employees who leave the company, Brussels Airlines offers an “outplacement” for 12 months to help them in their career transition, specifies the company.
“I want to thank union representatives for taking this crucial step with us. By implementing our turnaround plan, we are starting to build a financially healthy airline that will first become smaller and structurally profitable before we know how to new growth. This will create opportunities for its employees, customers and partners “, commented Dieter Vranckx, CEO of Brussels Airlines, quoted in a press release. The signature was confirmed by union sources.
“The first phase of the Renault law on restructuring is thus over”, said the representative of the liberal union, Filip Lemberechts. “The management will inform the staff in the coming days.” A press conference on this agreement is scheduled for Friday at 4 p.m.
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