In 1971, it turned out the workmen of Vieille Montagne in the other Belgian plants had a much higher salary for similar work.
Jef Sleeckx, a politician, convinced the banks to cancel payments temporarily for affected workmen.
At the end, the directors board agreed and the workmen even got a higher wage than requested.
Grandfather is retired and the family use to live in a working-class neighborhood not that far from Vieille Montagne.
The houses have no luxury and the toilets are still outside, which obliges the families to use outdated chamber pots during night or freeze periods.
Furthermore, Germaine is convinced all earth in a rather large area is poisoned with lead and zinc.
According to him Jan should be happy, he has a job and he should follow the decisions of the directors board even if he has a lower wage in comparison with the other factories.
In meantime, Germaine works at the GB supermarket in a Mall as a cashier but gets fired after she stole glue.
Germaine meets Luc, a student at the university during a party they fall in love.
There is also good news from Vieille Montagne: the directors board decided to raise wages.