Glaswerk Gardelegen surprisingly closes: 120 jobs at risk!

Glaswerk Gardelegen surprisingly closes: 120 jobs at risk!

The workshops of the glassworks in Gardelegen will no longer be filled with life at the end of September 2025. The decision came as more than a surprise to the approximately 120 employees who were informed about it by management on Monday. Loud MDR The reason for the closure is the high energy costs, which represent an enormous burden for companies in times of energy crisis. The measure is not bankruptcy, but a deliberate closure of the factory, which belongs to the Portuguese group BA Glass, which produces bottles for well-known beverage manufacturers such as Campari, Schweppes and Granini.

The decision still came as a surprise. “This is unusual and was not to be expected,” said union secretary Florian Hüfner from the IGBCE after a meeting with the works council. According to Hüfner, the workforce was not sufficiently informed about the notice periods, and the management wanted the works council to immediately sign a previously drawn up agreement, which did not happen. According to the works council, the legal review of this approach is now an important step.

Social plan and ambiguities

Discussions about a social plan for the affected employees are already underway. How n-tv reported, the works council will negotiate with management in order to cushion the significant disadvantages resulting from the closure. A social plan can also include provisions for severance payments and transfer companies that support employees in finding new jobs. While the logistics train continues until the end of the year, the future of the location and the 150 employees remains unclear.

“A social plan not only has the task of regulating layoffs, but also takes into account possible transfers and relocations within the company,” explains the VAA in an interview. The works councils have the legal basis to analyze and negotiate the disadvantages for employees, while employers often push for quick agreements. However, the well-being of the employees is the priority.

The legal framework is clear: employees have protection against dismissal for six months and should remain employed until then. This means a certain level of security for employees, even if the further course and exact handling of the social plan are still uncertain.

The closure of the glass factory in Gardelegen currently remains a sensitive issue that not only directly affects the employees, but also shapes the region. The news about the closure not only raises fears, but also hopes for fairer solutions through a social plan that supports employees during this challenging time.