Nearly 900 Employees Of Romanian Car Parts Mkr Dräexlmaier Hunedoara Resume Work

Andreescu also said declining demand, on the backdrop of the global economic crisis, could trigger layoffs, adding no decision was made in this respect. Moreover, he said the plant’s management and unions would meet on January 15 and make a decision on the matter.

In turn, union vice-president Constantin Aldescu said on December 18 that two hundred employees would be laid off in the first nine months of 2009, stressing the decision was made following talks 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 would 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 at that time.

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

He also pointed out that the collective labor contract will be negotiated in February 2009 and unions will ask for free transportation to and from work for Draexlmaier employees and a free lunch.

However, the plant’s management declined to comment on the matter at that time.

The plant currently employs nearly 2,000 people.

German-based car parts maker Draexlmaier said in a press statement on December 5, 2008 that it would halt production at all its five plants in Romania until early January 2009, citing lower demand, but assured the employees would benefit from all salary rights during this period.

Draexlmaier has 45 units worldwide, of which 30 in Europe, five in Africa, three in Asia and another seven in Central and North America.