Ardo workers demand better support as closure protest looms

Workers at the Ardo frozen-food plant in Groß-Enzersdorf are increasingly angry over its planned closure and the company’s offer of support for those affected, ORF reports. The works council says employees have not received enough information and wants a better social plan. A protest rally is planned for November 9.

About 190 employees are affected by the closure plan. The PRO-GE union described the mood as one of “disappointment and anger” after works council meetings and a staff assembly on Monday. Union regional secretary Patrick Slacik told the Austria Press Agency that workers were furious. The works council said negotiations had made little progress by the end of October.

Workers have continued their shifts despite the announcement, works council chair Dietmar Breiner told noe.ORF.at. But he said Monday’s assembly had not provided enough answers. Breiner currently rejects a strike, but said further assemblies or work-to-rule action could be considered if information does not improve, potentially affecting production.

A further round of talks on the social plan is scheduled for Friday, and the union expects an improved offer. The November 9 rally is due to begin at 8 a.m. outside the plant. The works council has also invited farmers and consumers, and hopes to secure better terms for employees and find a way to continue operations at another location.

Ardo, a Belgian group, announced in late September that the Groß-Enzersdorf plant would close at the end of August 2027. About 190 employees and 50 agency workers are affected. The plant processes frozen vegetables for Iglo and the own brands of Billa, Hofer and Spar. The company said it processed produce from about 270 farmers in Lower Austria in 2025. The Tiefkühlgemüse producers’ organisation, which supplies Ardo, has 500 member businesses.