Workers at Volkswagen intensified their protests on Monday with strikes at all nine of the company’s plants in Germany. The demonstrations coincide with a critical round of negotiations between unions and management over proposed wage cuts and potential plant closures.
The IG Metall union has criticized Volkswagen’s leadership, claiming a loss of trust among workers. Thorsten Groeger, IG Metall’s chief negotiator, warned that “Volkswagen’s brand is at risk, and the board’s actions are undermining both worker confidence and the company’s stock value.”
Management, however, argues that cost-cutting measures are necessary to remain competitive against Asian rivals and address declining demand in the European market. Arne Meiswinkel, the board’s chief negotiator, emphasized that “sustainable reductions are crucial to meet industry challenges, ensuring the survival of German plants.”
The four-hour strike is the second in a week, signaling escalating tensions between the two sides. Volkswagen has proposed wage reductions across all levels and raised the possibility of layoffs and plant closures—a first in the company’s 87-year history.
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