Unions hope for more clarity about candidate takeovers
At bus manufacturer Van Hool in Koningshooikt (Lier), a new special works council will start on Monday afternoon to discuss the restructuring and future of the company. It is expected that no bankruptcy will be announced (yet), but the unions hope for more clarity about the possible potential buyers.
Van Hool recently announced a major restructuring that would cost around 1,100 jobs. However, there are fears that the company’s sky-high debts will lead to bankruptcy even in the short term. In the meantime, a possible buyer is being sought, who would either take over the debts or who would only step in via a (flash) bankruptcy after the company has briefly closed down. The precise construction is considered to be of great importance for the employees and their possible severance pay.
According to The time In the meantime, the banks are not prepared to go along with Van Hool’s recovery plan and to further finance the company. However, official communication from the company is still awaited. The unions will hand out joint pamphlets to the staff present on Monday afternoon, with the message that they too regret the continued uncertainty.
“The uncertainty weighs unseen and painfully,” it says, among other things. “And as if there were not enough uncertainties, last week the old inheritance dispute within the Van Hool family also surfaced. We strongly condemn that a family dispute would put a mortgage on our future opportunities.”