A major French union is floating the possibility Renault could close two domestic sites unless it secures commitments to further productivity.
The moderate CFE-CGC union put forward its startling closure contention, which flies in the face of previous Renault assertions it was not planning on factory shutterings in France, following a series of meetings with the automaker.
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“There are two sites – Flins and perhaps Maubeuge” – CFE-CGC Renault union delegate, Dominique Chauvin, told just-auto from France. “The perspective in the medium term means there is nothing in the Renault plant that guarantees viability.
“It is beyond question for us that sites could be closed.”
Renault has robustly refuted claims factories could be closed, insisting the purpose of its marathon talks with its unions was not to shutter sites or make employees redundant, although last week it announced plans for 7,500 job cuts to 2016.
“Contrary to certain news items, Renault has never said “two sites” could be closed if no agreement were to be reached in the current negotiations on the performance of French sites,” a Renault statement said.
“Renault would like to stress the aim of these negotiations is, with the agreement of the trade unions, not to close sites and not to make lay-offs.”
