Ardo unions seek bigger payouts as severance talks fail

Unions are preparing to seek formal arbitration over a severance plan for about 190 workers at Ardo’s plant in Groß-Enzersdorf, after seven rounds of talks failed. ORF’s Lower Austria news service reported that the company’s current offer totals nearly 4 million euros, or about 20,000 euros gross per employee on average.

The figures, first reported by the Kurier, were provided by works council chairman Dietmar Breiner. Individual payments would vary, and PRO-GE union regional director Patrick Slacik said some workers would receive only about 800 euros.

The unions say the offer is inadequate and want higher payments, particularly for employees with long service who may have greater difficulty finding new jobs. Ardo has neither confirmed nor denied the reported figures. A company spokesperson said they did not reflect the full proposal under discussion, described the offer as “fair and balanced” and urged the unions to continue talks.

Slacik said the company must substantially improve its offer before negotiations can continue. He said the unions had made proposals during the seven rounds, but Ardo had rejected them. Breiner also criticised the employer-side negotiators, saying they lacked authority to make decisions, which were taken by Ardo’s management in Belgium.

The parties also disagree over funding for an employment foundation intended to help workers find new career prospects through training, retraining or completing an apprenticeship qualification. The union says Ardo has agreed in principle to a foundation but is unwilling to cover additional costs, and that access may not be available to all employees. The company did not answer ORF’s questions about the foundation’s funding or design.

PRO-GE and GPA have prepared an application to a conciliation board, which is expected to be filed on Monday. The board has a presiding judge and four members, split equally between employer and employee representatives. If the parties cannot agree, it can set a binding severance plan, subject to appeal to the Federal Administrative Court.

Ardo has warned that the procedure could delay a resolution by up to 18 months. Korneuburg Regional Court said it could not confirm that estimate. No application had been received by the court by the end of office hours on Friday.