On the site of the former car factory of the Belgian luxury brand Minerva in Mortsel (now the municipality of Edegem), project developer Rewind is converting the site into a residential area.
But there's considerable attention being paid to the site's rich history. A podcast is now being launched on the project's website, covering topics including the history of the former Minerva factory and the fatal bombing during World War II.
Donald Weber, research coordinator, contributed to the first episode, which focuses on life and work at the Minerva car factory.
You will hear, among other things, the story of how factory owner Sylvain de Jong clashed fiercely with the socialist metal union PMB.
But ultimately, De Jong—following the American example of the Ford factories—was the first in Belgium to adopt far-reaching collective bargaining agreements, including the granting of paid leave. And this even before the First World War, long before the 1936 Congé Payé Act! Admittedly, these agreements were short-lived... You'll hear all this and much more in a fascinating listening session.
