Workers Block Access in GM Antwerp Plant

And here's how it begins... After hearing that General Motors might shut down the Antwerp production facility, workers at the Belgium plant blocked access to a part of the factory. Obviously, they are disappointed by GM's intentions and are calling for another decision that would avoid the 2,300 job cut that could occur when shutting down the plant.

According to a report by Autonews citing an official of the ACV union, Antwerp's work council will meet today to discuss the matter.

Basically, Opel's workers are claiming that shutting down the factory would cost General Motors more than investing in new models and manufacturing them in Belgium. Furthermore, Opel's European works council boss Klaus Franz warned that this massive job cut would affect the German brand in the future, especially when demand for new models will grow again across Europe.

"The cuts are so deep that there will not be enough production capacity in Europe when sales volumes rise in the coming years," he wrote in a letter submitted to employees and published by Reuters.

Curiously, General Motors doesn't seem to be too open to talks as the Belgium government is ready to offer up to 500 million Euros in state aid to keep the plant open and save jobs. However, Franz says that General Motors has already denied such a possibility and tries to stick to its initial restructuring schedule.

"The plant has great plans for the future but top management do not want to do anything for Antwerp," Belgian unionist Rene Boone said.

The Antwerp facility was expected to receive production of a new subcompact SUV that could replace the Astra, currently manufactured in several factories across Europe. However, Opel/Vauxhall boss Nick Reilly expressed his desire to move production to GM Daewoo in South Korea.