Opel Union Trying to Rescue Antwerp

Ever since General Motors announced its decision to shut down the Antwerp plant, Belgium unions and representatives struggled to find a solution that would save the factory and the 2500+ employees. Opel is currently discussing a new scenario with labor officials, but a final decision is yet to be made.

According to an Autonews report, the scenario involves an outside investor that would get implicated in the business and invest in the plant. This way, Opel would collaborate with the investor on certain operations, including manufacturing convertible models.

"We are holding talks, whose outcome is open," an Opel spokesman said in a statement.

GM announced plans to close the Belgium production facility back in January, when Nick Reilly, currently CEO of Opel and Vauxhall, stated that the closing process should be completed in 2010.

"Many have been dedicated to the plant over generations and have done an excellent job producing great quality cars. The decision to announce this today, was not taken lightly; instead, it is the unfortunate result of the current business reality. We must make this announcement now so that we can secure a viable future for the entire Opel and Vauxhall operations," he said.

However, local unions started protesting against a possible closure ever since late 2009 when the first rumors of a closure emerged in the Belgium media.

"We will never accept the closure of a production centre, nor lay-offs without a social plan," Belgian trade union official Walter Cnop told the protesters in September. "Production must be shared out fairly," he added.