This article was translated from Arabic. Read the Arabic original
Austria Now News – Lower Austria
Discontent is growing among employees of the Ardo Group’s frozen vegetable plant in Groß-Enzersdorf, in the Gänserndorf district of Lower Austria, following the announcement that the plant will close. The works council criticises a lack of information and is demanding a better social plan for the affected workers, while the union has called for a major protest outside the plant next week, according to Austrian broadcaster ORF.
“Disappointment and anger”
After several works council meetings and a general staff meeting on Monday, the PRO-GE union spoke of “disappointment and anger”. The union’s regional director Patrick Slacik told the Austria Press Agency APA that the workers are “very angry”.
The dispute centres on negotiations over the social plan (Sozialplan) for the roughly 190 employees affected by the closure, with workers considering the company’s offer so far far too low. Previous rounds of negotiations ended without agreement in late October.
Criticism of information policy
Works council chairman Dietmar Breiner said employees are continuing to work as normal despite the announced closure, but concrete information remains scarce, and Monday’s meeting did not provide sufficient answers. Breiner currently rejects a strike, but did not rule out further meetings or resorting to “work-to-rule” (Dienst nach Vorschrift) if the lack of information continues, which could affect production.
New round of talks and protest
A new round of negotiations is scheduled for Friday, and the union expects an improved offer. A major protest will also be held outside the plant on Monday, 9 November, at 8:00 a.m., to which farmers and consumers have also been invited. In addition to better terms for employees, the works council hopes production can be continued at another site.
The Belgian Ardo Group announced at the end of September that it would close the plant at the end of August 2027. The decision affects around 190 employees as well as 50 temporary workers. The plant produces frozen vegetables for the Iglo brand and for the private labels of the Billa, Hofer and Spar chains, and according to the company processed produce from around 270 farmers in Lower Austria in 2025, meaning the closure will also affect local agriculture.
Austria Now News – keeping you up to date.
Symbolic image
Sources
noe.ORF.at – Ardo-Schließung: Unmut in Belegschaft wächst – 02.11.2026 – https://noe.orf.at/stories/3377846/
