VW tariff conflict: Negotiations end without success-what's next?

VW tariff conflict: Negotiations end without success-what's next?

In the collective bargaining conflict with the crisping car manufacturer Volkswagen, the Situation remains tense. After the fourth round of negotiations in Wolfsburg, the IG Metall union and the company were again unable to reach an agreement. Like Sächsische.de reported over six hours in a "constructive atmosphere", but there was no solution. IG Metall requires preserving all locations and an employment guarantee for the approximately 130,000 employees, while VW brings wage cuts by 10 percent and possible factory closures in view of the difficult financial situation. The talks are to be continued on Monday and Tuesday, December 16 and 17.

protests and requirements of IG Metall

The collective bargaining, which was accompanied by loud protests last week, showed the dissatisfaction of the employees. Around 7,000 employees had gathered to express their displeasure with VW's reduction plans so far, provide massive cuts in the workforce and wages. Even if the company has declared a "IG Metall" Tracking the conversation path in order to avoid plant closures and operational dismissals, the hopes of an early agreement are limited. The employee representatives also require a solidarity future fund to enable flexible working hours and to make personnel reduction socially acceptable.

Such an engagement for the future is required by corporate management in order to disclose cuts among managers and shareholders. The union has made it clear that the negotiations could remain problematic without significant cuts on the management and clearer perspectives for all locations. Negotiator Thorsten Gröger warns that the obligation to peace, which ends on November 30, could create the possibility of the beginning of an industrial action that the Federal Republic has not experienced in this form.