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Alstom is planning drastic cuts: the Görlitz plant is on the brink!
Bautzen in focus: Alstom plans cuts and sells factory in Görlitz, while employees fight against working conditions.
Alstom is planning drastic cuts: the Görlitz plant is on the brink!
At a difficult time for employees, the Alstom Group is taking on another chapter of restructuring. Henri Poupart-Lafarge, the company's CEO, has defended the sale of the Görlitz plant, which represents a drastic step in the company's strategy. The reason for this is the focus on a best-cost strategy, which should provide for production in other Eastern European countries such as Katowice and Wroclaw Mirror reported.
But what does this actually mean for the employees on site? IG Metall and the general works council fear massive job losses and have already reported a reduction of over 90 jobs. Loud Daily Mirror Alstom is also planning to completely stop production in Mannheim and has already announced a reduction at the Hennigsdorf site. Uncertainty hovers like a sword of Damocles over the company's German plants.
Trust under attack
The situation is complicated by the disputes over the so-called future collective agreement. The board and employees were hoping for an agreement, but current developments show that these hopes may have been disappointed. Alstom is suspected of violating the contract. IG Metall then terminated the contract and numerous employees filed lawsuits. This situation has significantly eroded the trust between management and employees, as is clear in the IG Metall reports.
Another explosive point is the union's financial commitment. Employees have already foregone vacation pay worth 34 million euros per year in the hope that the company will use the money to improve working conditions. But Alstom has not backed out of its commitment, which puts the parties in a delicate position.
Future prospects in the fog
The prospect of an industrial investor for the Görlitz plant remains uncertain and efforts are stagnating. This led René Straube, Alstom's general works council chairman, to accuse Alstom of "delaying tactics". The lack of communication and decision-making power from management has not only affected consumer trust, but has also severely affected workforce morale.
Alstom is at a crossroads: With the takeovers in recent years, especially Bombardier Transportation with its 9,000 employees in Germany, Alstom has developed into the largest rail vehicle manufacturer according to CRRC. But in view of these developments, questions arise as to whether the company has really recognized the signs of the times.
Looking into the future, the question remains as to how the situation at Alstom will develop and whether the employees will ultimately be able to secure their rights and their existence. The situation in Görlitz is just one piece of a larger puzzle that is unfolding under the pressure of restructuring and international competitive conditions. We'll be watching to see how things develop and what steps the company takes next.