Saab’s main blue collar union says its members have still not been paid October salaries as the automaker engages in crucial talks with Chinese investors in Stockholm and ahead of a reorganisation hearing tomorrow (27 October).
Sweden’s County Administrative Board or Lansstyrelsen yesterday (25 October) told just-auto it had paid a State guarantee up until 21 October, but that Saab would have to cover the outstanding wages until the end of the month.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
“Our members have not been paid yet,” IF Metall legal advisor Darko Davidovic told just-auto from near Stockholm. “Most of the salaries – around 80% – are paid by the government so that money is on Saab’s account. Now Saab has to pay the rest.”
Saab says it will oppose the administrator’s application to terminate the voluntary reorganisation of Saab Automobile and two subsidiaries at the Swedish court in Vänersborg, with IF Metall maintaining a close eye on the situation.
“We are just waiting because we are having a conference today about Saab to have the latest update – about the negotiations going on in Stockholm with Youngman and Pang Da,” said Davidovic. “With Saab I really don’t know any more, it is hard to say anything
“Everybody thinks in IF Metall [something] must happen either tonight or early in the morning.”
Saab was not immediately available for comment, but a spokeswoman yesterday told just-auto it had communicated with its staff noting there was a risk of delayed salary payment.
Should Saab exit reorganisation, the money from the State guarantee would be repayable. The Lansstyrelsen said no further finance would be made available.
