Thorsten Groeger, who led the negotiations of the IG Metall union, took a firm position during the negotiations with Volkswagen.
If the company insists on the shutdowns, we could be in a conflict the likes of which this company has not seen in decades.
Groeger warned.
The tension can already be felt: Strikes may begin at the majority of Volkswagen locations in Germany from December 1. This step clearly shows how much the situation has escalated at Europe’s largest car manufacturer. Statements made before the third round of negotiations highlight the seriousness of the dispute: Volkswagen is under significant pressure due to high costs in Germany and cheaper Asian competitors, according to the company’s management, deep cuts are needed,
including a 10% wage cut, and the possibility of factory closures is not ruled out.
IG Metall and Volkswagen’s works council have put forward a package of proposals that offer less drastic solutions. The EUR 1.5 billion discount is part of this package, with which they want to avoid forced redundancies.
Groeger emphasized: “Our problems were not caused by the workers, and they cannot be solved by looking only at labor costs.“
The outcome of the negotiations could be decisive not only for the future of Volkswagen, but also for the future of the entire German car fleet. The agreement between the parties or the lack thereof can have a significant impact on the competitiveness of the sector and the situation of the employees.
Source: Reuters
Cover image source: Shutterstock
Source: www.portfolio.hu
