Insecure times
A wildcat strike broke out at VDL Nedcar in Born on Wednesday. The strike follows failed negotiations between trade union FNV Metaal and VDL about a social agreement for the employees. The future of the employees is still uncertain as the end of production for BMW approaches.
On Tuesday, the unions and the works council already warned against wild actions after the failure of the negotiations on a social agreement between the unions and VDL. It will already lead to a wildcat strike on Wednesday. According to chairman Abdel Lahssaini of the works council, about 2,000 employees would have left the company on Wednesday morning and were standing at the gate. A union official from FNV Metaal would also be present, as well as a delegation from the management. “The whole factory is down,” said Lahssaini.
Since last week, the unions and VDL have been talking with each other in anticipation of possible mass redundancies later this year. The contract with BMW for the production of Minis in the Limburg car factory expires at the beginning of next year. There is no prospect of a new car brand that could take over. The future of the 3,800 employees therefore does not look good, the unions fear. Both sides blame each other for the failure of the negotiations. According to VDL, the unions make unrealistic demands regarding a social plan, according to the unions, VDL refuses to meet them and take them seriously. Negotiators from CNV and FNV already said on Tuesday that the factory is heading for closure.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl