Audi worker protests follow factory's closure in the face of low demand

Unions for workers at the Audi factory in Brussels are planning a major action in Brussels for 16 September, citing the plant’s continued closure due to a lack of demand, as well as a general “decline of the industry” on a national level.

“To achieve our objectives, we need to take our struggle beyond the factory walls, to reach the general public, politicians and the management of the Volkswagen Group,” said unionist Grégory Dascotte.

The factory in Forest has been struggling as fewer people than expected lined up to buy Audi’s electric Q8 e-tron SUV.

A restructuring intention for Audi Brussels was announced on 9 July, with production of the Q8 e-tron to be stopped early.

The news means that 1,500 jobs may disappear as early as October, and more than 1,100 more next year. By the end of 2025, the last jobs could then disappear.

Audi said at the time that no final decision had yet been taken on the Brussels factory, which employs some 3,000 people.

A general staff meeting held in the car park of the factory on Tuesday drew about 500 workers, Bruzz reports.

Ronny Liedts of ACV Metea said the demonstration planned for next month is not only focused on the situation at Audi Brussels, citing struggles in the industrial sector on a national level.

“More and more companies are restructuring or moving away from our country,” said Liedts, citing cost-cutting measures at Audi Brussels, bus maker Vanhool and Ontex. He said he suspects that other companies will also make layoffs or relocations.

"That will not only impact direct employees," he added. "Companies working for those companies will also be affected - suppliers among others, or external cleaning companies and caterers."

The meeting held earlier this week was aimed at organising more actions.

“The message we want to get across is to continue the fight for all jobs,” said Sor Hillal of the FGTB Métal union.

“We don't hold all the cards. For the moment, we've only had declarations of intent and we're not going to be satisfied with that. We will be putting forward trade union proposals, and the workers will then decide what action to take next.”

September’s rally is planned for 16 September in Brussels, with details yet to be finalised.