Volkswagen workers from factories across Germany gathering in front of the Volkswagen Arena on Thursday, ahead of talks between unions and management on wage cuts in Wolfsburg. — Reuters
BERLIN: Volkswagen labour representatives have formally voted for limited strikes in Germany from early December, their union said today, after talks over wages and plant closures failed to achieve a breakthrough.The bargaining committee at VW AG - a German subsidiary of Europe's biggest automaker - voted unanimously for the labour action, the IG Metall union said.
"As a result, a labour dispute will follow, which will put the company under massive pressure", the union added.
IG Metall negotiator Thorsten Groeger said workers' representatives had presented comprehensive proposals to the company, adding it was up to Volkswagen how long and severe the dispute would be.
Volkswagen has demanded a 10% wage cut for German workers at VW AG, arguing it needs to slash costs and boost profit to defend market share in the face of cheap competition from China and a drop in European car demand.
It is also threatening to close plants in Germany for the first time in its 87-year history.
Walkouts in December would be the first large-scale strikes at VW AG since 2018 when over 50,000 workers took to the streets over pay.
Strikes would initially be so-called warning strikes lasting hours. Union members could then vote to escalate to 24-hour strikes or longer.
Talks are scheduled to continue on Dec 9.
