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The European Employee Forum’s initiative to directly talk to the potential investor had led to new
activities in the deadlocked discussions between management and the investor.
The investor intended to take over the workforce and the plant by end of 2010 and planned to
build up to 100,000 vehicles in Antwerp by 2013. Engines and transmissions were planned to be
bought from Opel which would have helped to secure jobs at the Bochum transmission site and
the Aspern engine plant.
Flemish and Belgian Government both support the sale to the investor.
The most decisive question for the investor was the license to produce the previous Astra models
under a different brand name. This question had not been answered by Opel/Vauxhall. Right from
the beginning of the talks Opel/Vauxhall management has neither given a chance nor any support
to the investor developing a sustainable business plan. Management would rather accept that
1,250 people lose their jobs at Antwerp and additional 230 mill € would be wasted for winding
down the site.
The European Employee Forum and Trade Unions make the following demands on management:
· Continuation of talks with the investor who is willing to take over the plant by end of 2010
· Delivery of required data and information to the investor
· Active co-operation to establish a business plan
· Compliance with the contract between EEF and Opel/Vauxhall on Antwerp
· No waste of workforce contributions for an unnecessary closure but investment into new
products
· Managing business by economic and not ideological principles
Opel/Vauxhall management must honour its commitment to seek a viable investor to maintain
the plant and jobs”, stated EMF General Secretary Peter Scherrer.
The European Opel/Vauxhall workforces will jointly and in solidarity support a fair and long-term
future for their Antwerp colleagues.
“Opel appears to be going through the motions but is not giving the potential investor a realistic
chance to make a business case”, added EMF’s Company Policy Director Tony Murphy.
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Press 31/2010
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31 2010
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