The workforce at Audi Brussels has agreed to the measures designed to reduce labour costs. With more than 62 percent of blue-collar workers and more than 94 percent of salaried staff in favour, Audi Brussels employees were decisive that they too will play a role in shaping the future of Audi.

The outcome of the ballot confirms the positive result of the referendum held on 27 February, which forms the basis of the Letter of Intent (LoI) and, accordingly, of the negotiations conducted during recent weeks. Moreover, it is renewed evidence of the workforce’s support of the commitment made by Audi AG to take the Brussels site to a higher level of growth.

The payscale agreement, which was accepted by the majority of employees, is the result of negotiations between management and the trade unions aimed at achieving an equilibrium between working hours and income and thus between competitiveness and job security. The employees’ support is proof that the measures agreed provide this guarantee.

"The outcome is a sign of mutual trust," stressed Dr. Werner Widuckel, Board Member for Human Resources at Audi AG and Chairman of the Audi Brussels Supervisory Commission. He added, "We have achieved our cost objectives while at the same time safeguarding workforce wages and salaries as effectively as possible. This means greater competitiveness. We can thus build our premium models, including the future Audi A1, under the appropriate conditions, thereby securing jobs at Audi Brussels in the long term."

The negotiations concerning working time accounts and measures relating to work organisation will be conducted during the second half of the year. "We will take the same approach to these discussions as before to enable us to propose solutions that will benefit the company and the workforce in equal measure," emphasised Widuckel.

Since Audi Brussels came into existence, the Audi A3 Sportback has been built at the site in addition to the Volkswagen Polo. The LoI provides for investment earmarked for the Audi A3 Sportback and the future Audi A1 in the coming years – and in particular for the entire assembly facilities from the bodyshop to final assembly. Models built by the Volkswagen brand will also be produced at the site in the future in order to improve capacity utilisation.

The goal is to develop Brussels – as part of the Audi family – into a highly productive site with a leading position among its competitors. By 2015, Audi AG will be building some 1.5 million vehicles worldwide, and Audi Brussels is an integral element of this growth strategy.