The Fokker factories in Hoogerheide and Helmond will close. In principle, no jobs will be lost, the staff will work in Papendrecht. That is more than a hundred kilometers from Helmond. A ride from Hoogerheide – Papendrecht is 75 kilometers. Trade unions FNV and CNV are not happy about it. Fokker Techniek, which maintains passenger aircraft, will remain in Hoogerheide.
Staff were informed about the relocations on Friday. The closure of the factory in Helmond, where Fokker makes landing gears, among other things, should already take place this year. About 350 specialized skilled workers work at this location, about a hundred of whom are on a temporary basis.
In Hoogerheide, cable harnesses for aircraft are made. Eight hundred people work for this part, of which about three hundred are on a temporary basis. The factory should eventually close in 2023.
Employees of the two locations will be asked to come and work in Papendrecht. 1800 employees will work there. The company wants to cut costs with the move.
Negotiations
The shortage on the labor market may be in favor of the employees. According to the trade unions CNV and FNV, Fokker does not want to lose staff. That could be an opening in negotiations with the company about arrangements such as a time and money allowance, which will be discussed shortly, unions say.
FNV and CNV will update employees at the locations next week. They are advising staff not to agree to any arrangements yet, as they could lose their right to further compensation.
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