The staff of VDL Nedcar is demonstrating today against the occupation of the neighboring Sterrebos by environmental activists. VDL Nedcar wants to build a new production line there, for which seven hectares of forest will have to be felled. The activists are strongly against this, but the employees of VDL Nedcar in turn fear job loss. According to the staff, the car factory cannot expand without the felling of trees.
Two short demonstrations will take place today between 13.45 and 15.45 in front of the main building of the car factory in Born, which still produces for BMW. Trade unions CNV Vakmensen, FNV Metaal and De Unie support the action of the staff. “In recent days, there was a lot of attention for the activists in the Sterrebos”, said director Robert Wonnink of CNV Vakmensen. “But workers are concerned about employment if the expansion can’t go ahead.” The demonstrations by the staff are therefore not aimed at VDL Nedcar, but are mainly intended as a counterpoint. Wonnink further states that not only the jobs at VDL Nedcar are at risk, but also thousands of jobs at other companies that are partly dependent on the car factory.
Ron Peters, director of FNV Metaal, adds that the expansion of VDL Nedcar is necessary in order to be able to welcome a new customer in 2024, when the contract with BMW has expired. VDL Nedcar is currently in talks with Rivian, so it is very important for the car factory to increase production capacity. “We understand that people are concerned about the felling of part of the Sterrebos, but we are sure that new trees will be planted afterwards,” says Peters.
Action group ‘Save the Sterrebos’, which is responsible for the occupation of the forest, says it understands the concerns of the employees. The environmentalists mainly want the factory not to sacrifice Sterrebos for the expansion, but to build elsewhere. “Our action is in no way directed against employment or the employees of VDL Nedcar,” the action group said in a statement on Monday evening. “Our position is correct that sustainable jobs and the conservation of forests can go hand in hand. A possible expansion of the factory can also take place at a different location.”
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl