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Business & Money

Saab unions demand answers from CEO

Published: 10 Aug 11 09:59 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/35450/20110810/

Saab CEO and sole director, Victor Muller, will meet Wednesday with representatives of the four unions at its factory in Trollhättan in western Sweden, who are seeking answers as to how the company will ensure that wages are paid.

In both June and July were wage payments were delayed and in only two weeks August salaries are due, preceded by the payment of taxes and payroll charges.

A further issue on the agenda is when factory lines will begin rolling again, and when suppliers will receive their outstanding cash.

"The main issue is the short-term funding," said Per Bränneby, shop steward for the Association of University Graduates/Graduate Engineers, one of the groups set to be included in the meeting with trade union colleagues from the metalworker's union IF Metall, Unionen and Ledarna.

Aside from Muller, personnel director Johan Formgren is expected to attend.

Almost three months have passed since Muller held a big meeting of all employees in which he apologized and promised that they would not have to be involved in further turmoil.

But since then if anything, matters have got worse.

Money received as advance payments from China, new share issues and loans have not convinced their suppliers to restart deliveries. The Trollhättan plant has now been idle for over four months and according to Saab, it will restart on August 29th at the earliest.

The Swedish Enforcement Authority has threatened to instigate recovery proceedings next week to seek payment for unpaid debts to suppliers.

Per Bränneby however remains optimistic about the future.

"We know they're working really hard on a solution and I have confidence that it will resolve itself," he said.

He was reluctant to give his assessment of how Muller has managed Saab, but he noted that Muller's dual roles as both CEO and chairman are not good in the long run.

"He is an entrepreneur and an ideas man, but I hope we can find a new CEO," says Per Bränneby.

TT/The Local/pvs (news@thelocal.se)

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09:52 August 10, 2011 by jostein
Just let SAAB die with some dignity? This constant stream of articles, well, just seems like journalists think their readers stupid? Its really testing my patience.

And i bet you a million dollars the same sniveling bs gonna be repeated when the euro dies a slow and painfull death. Dead is dead. Accept it.
10:09 August 10, 2011 by johan rebel
There should have been a big DNR sign on SAAB's more than a decade ago.
12:34 August 10, 2011 by Eagle63
I was hoping to buy the new 9-4X, truly a superb vehicle. But if things indeed turn out bad I will switch to the Volvo XC60 T6. In the mean time my old 9-5 Griffin is still doing great; I wouldn't trade it in for a snobistic Audi, an overbearing Meredes or aggresive looking BMW.
19:01 August 10, 2011 by CurtInFalcon
Saab has hinted at a potential big investor. If this happens, then Saab will be secure for the short term until the deals with the Chinese pass government approval. Saab just needs to survive until this new investor comes aboard. Don't write off Saab too soon. It's a company with many lives.
05:41 August 12, 2011 by funktron
I sure hope they get the funding they need and survive long enough to introduce the 2013 9-3 replacement and the new 9-2. Early reports are that they are going to borrow on classic Saab design cues. The U.S. market would embrace an entry level Saab. Hopefully the unions there won't destroy the auto industry as the United Auto Workers union has done in the United States.
21:36 August 12, 2011 by SEBLOGGER
Hello I think you can write of SAAB sometime in next 14 days.

USA investor meetings are just meetings, any good US investor would have brains not to invest in SAAB. There are better options for there so called Dollars

Next week paperwork is underway for at least 6 suppliers to Bankrupt SAAB for non paymment of manpower.

Its all very jovial that tonight Bulters is booming in Trollhattan has been paid. But look at this as very temp situation All were again , for this week in high spirits for SAAB great future, any with any skills or brains would look for another job ASAP

Muller is just a Showman Front man and should never be trusted, ask the DUTCH.

SAAB will be finished easily in the next few months say dead 2012.
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