Audi Brussels will temporarily resume production of the Q8 e-tron models from Thursday, 6 February, the management announced on Wednesday.
Preparatory activities are already underway. Production will restart with a single shift from 06:00 am to 02:00 at a reduced speed. The production will then cease permanently on Friday, 28 February.
Ronny Liedts of the Christian Flemish Union stated that the initial goal was to build around 800 additional vehicles, but this objective is no longer feasible. "They now aim for just over 300 vehicles, which will also be challenging. In any case, it’s good that volunteers are being called upon."
At the end of January, following nearly four months of negotiations, the unions and the management of Audi Brussels reached an agreement on the social plan for the closure of the car factory in Forest, which employs around 3,000 people.
In addition to the legal severance pay, the German car manufacturer will provide a company bonus, the amount of which will be determined based on the worker's seniority. Employees with 30 years of service will receive a total compensation ranging from 200,000 to 400,000 euros gross, depending on their position and salary.
According to the management, the total compensation is more than twice what is legally required. However, the unions argue that the announced amounts do not reflect the reality for the majority of the workers.
Moreover, the company's social plan includes support measures such as an unemployment scheme with company supplements, a coaching programme, and outplacement services.
