Volkswagen employees organized a strike
In nine Volkswagen car and component factories in Germany workers took it yesterday warning strikes. Therefore, work was temporarily suspended for the duration of the demonstration, and some employees shortened their shifts. According to CNBC, workers carried banners with slogans: “ready to strike” and “warning strikes – our right.”
Both sides ready for talks
Three rounds so far negotiations between Volkswagen, trade unions and the company’s works council ended in failure. Daniela Cavallo, head of the Volkswagen works council, on Monday, like other representatives of other trade unions, called on employees to protest. She also announced the date of the next meeting, which will take place on December 9. And it will either lead to an agreement or an escalation of protests at Volkswagen.
A Volkswagen spokesman said Sunday that the company “respects the right of employees to participate in a warning strike.” The company still relies on constructive dialogueto find a “sustainable and mutually supportive solution,” added a Volkswagen representative quoted by CNBC.
End of employee protection
In September, Volkswagen announced, among other things, that it had ended the contract for protection of German workerswhich has been in force since 1994. The carmaker also signaled at the time that it might have to for the first time in its history close factories in Germany. In addition, in October, the company’s works council announced that Volkswagen’s management is also considering extensive measures pay cuts and layoffs.
An alternative idea of trade unions
The trade union and works council have opposed these moves and even proposed their own plan for Volkswagen’s future, which they say will avoid plant closures. The company ignored these suggestions.
Trade unions fight for jobs
Employees have not been able to go on strike so far as part of the commitment to maintain peacewhich ended on December 1. The last one large strikes at Volkswagen took place in 2018. About 50,000 employees took part, but smaller ones warning strikesin which several thousand employees took part, took place already in 2021.
Volkswagen may get into even bigger trouble
There are many indications that the company’s representatives will not bow to the demands of the employees. December 9 the work of all Volkswagen plants may be suspended for striking workers. This will further worsen the difficult financial situation of the company, which is facing a flood cheap cars from Chinahigh electricity costs and work.
