Historic Fiat factory closes in Bielsko, Poland, 486 laid off

(ANSA) - WARSAW, 07 GEN - Fiat is closing its historic Fca factory of 1.3 Multijet engines in Bielsko Biala, Poland, laying off nearly 500 workers. This was revealed by Wanda Struzyk the president of the company trade union organization Solidarnosc in the local newspaper Dziennik Zachodni. "It is the news we have been dreading for a long time, and yesterday at our request, it was confirmed to us," Struzyk said, pointing out that Fca will be closed by the end of 2024 and that a part of the 486 laid-off workers may perhaps be able to find work in other Stellantis plants in Poland, in Tychy or Skoczow. "Now we will also negotiate on severance payments. The first meeting will take place next January 9," the unionist added. The liquidation of the historic company that began producing Fiat 126s in the 1970s, according to many local observers, constitutes the end of an era marked by Poland's "automotive" renaissance and its growth of the European and world free market arena. Other Stellantis plants in Poland still produce the Fiat 600e and Jeep Avenger, and these models may soon be joined by another, b-suv type. (ANSA).