Representatives of European metalworkers unions have categorically denied any deal has been concluded with General Motors (GM) to close its Opel plant in Belgium.
The European Metalworkers Federation (EMF) has branded reports saying an agreement had been reached to shut the 120,000-vehcile-a-year factory in Antwerp as “misleading.”
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“We are still in negotiation – we are certainly not expecting the plant will be up for closure – that was misleading,” EMF company policy director Tony Murphy told just-auto.
“We are talking to the select committee of the European Employee forum which is a legal body that comes out of the European Works Council.”
Earlier reports had suggested a compensation package for the 2,300 workers at the plant had been agreed, but Murphy said negotiations were still continuing and no acceptance had been made as to the site’s closure.
Murphy added the only agreement that had been reached concerned the social plan to reduce numbers by the end of June, but that talks were still taking place concerning the detail.
GM is looking for up to EUR2bn (US$3.6bn) in loan guarantees from five European governments toward its turnaround plan.
The British government has already pledged EUR300m (US$410m) while Germany is being asked for the largest amount, some EUR1.3bn (US$1.7bn) although its government has still to make a decision.
GM Belgium was not available for comment.
