Audi bosses called the cops on their own workers on Wednesday after employees protesting a plant closure in Belgium stormed a meeting between company executives and union officials. More than 150 protesters were escorted from the factory by police armed with batons and shields after they called for job security.
Audi confirmed earlier this year that production of the Q8 E-Tron will end in Belgium next year, putting the future of its plant near the capital of Brussels at risk. Union bosses met with upper management of Audi Brussels this week to discuss what the new year holds for the 3,000 people employed at the site.
The meeting came to an abrupt end, however, when more than 150 protesters stormed the meeting calling for “fair compensation” should the plant close, reports Euronews:
Negotiations between union representatives and Audi Brussels management were interrupted on Wednesday when police were called in after workers entered the meeting room in protest.
Employees say they put forward a counter-proposal for the company’s social plan, but after it was turned down, they entered the meeting room to “peacefully express their frustration.”
Management then called the police to remove them from the premises. Belgian police arrived equipped with batons, helmets, and shields.
“We were hit by the police. We’ve got video evidence,” said one worker.
Belgian police reportedly hit the protestors with batons and others claimed they were “struck with truncheons,” according to one Audi employee who spoke with Euronews.
Audi will cease production of the Q8 E-Tron in Brussels in February 2025 and had been looking for a buyer to take over operation of the plant and secure jobs for its employees. That search wasn’t successful, however, and CarScoops adds that Audi officially stopped looking for a buyer this week:
Earlier this week, Audi said the “active search for investors has come to an end” after failing to find a suitable buyer for their Brussels plant. That effectively spelt doom for the facility as production of the Q8 e-tron is slated to end early next year.
The situation between workers and the automaker is understandably tense as roughly 3,000 people are slated to lose their job in a matter of months. Things finally spilled over on Wednesday as Euronews is reporting protestors interrupted a meeting between union representatives and plant management.
Audi’s threats to close the plant in Europe follow similar warnings from fellow German automaker Volkswagen. The Golf maker warned that it may have to shut as many as three factories in Europe over the coming years in order to remain competitive in Europe’s EV market. It could also try making EVs that people actually want to buy, but it sounds like VW wants to try aggressive cost-cutting first.
