Car Part Mkr Draexlmaier Hunedoara To Fire 200 People In First 3Q Of 2009

Aldescu said the decision was made following talks on Wednesday between unions and the plant’s management.

"We’ve seen a 180 degrees turn in the behavior of the management at Draexlmaier Hunedoara. They said people to be fired will be selected following employee performance evaluations. Those with weak results will be fired. Also, those who have a record of disciplinary offences or failed to show up for work on several occasions will also be fired,” Aldescu said.

He added Draexlmaier officials pledged that all employees fired will receive severance pay and unemployment aid.

"Severance payments haven’t been decided yet, but will be negotiated soon,” Aldescu said.

He said the collective labor contract will be negotiated in February and unions will ask for free transportation to and from work for Draexlmaier employees and a free lunch.

The plant management declined to comment.

The plant currently employs nearly 2,000 people. Employees were put on technical unemployment as of Dec 6 over declining demand and production is set to be resumed on Jan 12, the company said in a press release on Dec 5.