VDL Nedcar is laying off nearly half of its workers. Because its contract with BMW is ending and it has been unable to replace it, the car factory is switching to day shift only, cutting 1,850 of its 3,950 jobs. The switch to one-shift operations will take effect on November 1, VDL Nedcar announced on Thursday.
VDL threatens to withdraw a bonus of 7,500 euros if Nedcar workers continue to strike, according to an internal communication from Nedcar director John van Soerland to the employees of the car factory in Born. According to Van Soerland, the bonus of 7,500 euros will only be paid if all agreements with BMW are respected. "Work interruptions mean that we cannot keep our agreements, so the personal bonus will not be paid," Van Soerland told the workers.