Ardo unions seek conciliation board after social plan talks fail

Unions representing about 190 employees at Ardo’s factory in Groß-Enzersdorf are taking stalled negotiations over a social plan to a conciliation board, ORF reported. The seventh round of talks ended without agreement.

Works council chair Dietmar Breiner said the sides had not moved closer and called the company’s offer “ridiculous”. The PRO-GE and GPA unions said they would apply to the board, which can decide on a social plan.

A key demand is an employment foundation to help affected workers with further training and retraining. Breiner and PRO-GE regional director Patrick Slacik said an agreement without a board decision was still possible if Ardo substantially improved its offer.

Breiner said the works council remained willing to negotiate. The company plans to consult its Belgian headquarters, but has not proposed a new meeting date. Ardo has said it offered a socially balanced severance package and also proposed an employment foundation.

Breiner said continuing uncertainty was affecting staff morale and was ultimately “counterproductive” for the company. Employees are due to be briefed on the latest developments on Monday. They protested outside the factory earlier this week over the stalled talks.

Meanwhile, the supply of vegetables from the Marchfeld region is secure, according to the state government. Several domestic companies, including Schneiders Gemüseland and Waldland, are expanding their processing capacity.