German auto giant faces first nationwide worker walkout in 6 years
Major car manufacturer in Germany prepares for country-wide worker strikes due to wage-cuts and plant closure plans. Labor unions ready to start actions in early-december while negotiations continue
Volkswagenʼs German operations face nation-wide work stoppages‚ with unions announcing strike-readiness starting december 2024; its first large-scale worker action since about six years back
The auto-maker wants a ten-percent pay-cut and might shut down some factories (which hasnt happened in its 87-year history) saying it needs to stay strong against low-cost chinese makers and weak euro-zone sales. The companyʼs management and workers will meet again on dec 9th to discuss these issues
Worker groups offered different ways to save money: shorter work-hours and no yearly bonus payments - but the company doesnt want to take factory closures off the table. The initial walk-outs could be short-term but theres a chance they might grow into full-day or open-ended protests if both sides dont find common ground
VW will determine at the negotiating table how long and how hard the conflict will be - the VW workforce throughout the country is ready to strike
The unions plan includes:
- No forced job cuts
- Keep all plants running
- Use reduced hours instead
- Skip bonus payments
The labor representatives wont accept any deal that doesnt give long-term security for every VW plant in germany; while management keeps pushing for big changes to protect their market position
