Volkswagen is implementing significant cost-cutting measures in response to a sharp decline in profits attributed to rising domestic costs and increasing competition, particularly from China. The company's lead negotiator, Arne Meiswinkel, emphasized the need for immediate and sustainable reductions to maintain competitiveness.
In reaction to these measures, trade unions have organized strikes at nine Volkswagen plants across Germany for the second time this month. Christiane Benner, chairwoman of the IG Metall union, criticized the company's approach, stating that workers should not bear the consequences of executive mismanagement.
Benner addressed thousands of workers at the flagship plant in Wolfsburg, arguing that the issues facing the company cannot be resolved through layoffs and wage cuts. The union demands that all ten Volkswagen plants in Germany remain operational and that job security be guaranteed for approximately 130,000 employees.