The second warning strike by Volkswagen workers in Germany ended without an agreement. The workers of the factory do not want to agree to a reduction in wages and layoffs. At most, growth could be frozen, but only those that would be negotiated in the future. It's not the only German company cutting costs. The German chancellor offers an aid program before the elections.
38 thousand demonstrators took part in Wolfsburg alone. – Our response to the closure of enterprises and mass layoffs is not silent. On the contrary, Wolfsburg is making a lot of noise, said Torsten Groger, chief negotiator of the IG Metall trade union.
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Volkswagen employees organized a four-hour warning strike. About 70,000 trade unions at 9 German companies have protested against the closure of factories and reduced wages, and such actions have been announced by the company's management for several months, which explains these plans as the most difficult situation for the company in recent years. But thousands of workers do not like this.
– The one who is not ready to compromise, the one who wants to have everything, achieves nothing, – emphasized Torsten Groger.
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What do trade unions demand?
Union workers suggested to the company that future wages, which have not yet been negotiated, should be paid not to workers, but to a special fund aimed at balancing short-term work.
– After a thorough analysis of the proposal of the opponents of the trade unions, we determined that it is not enough for a permanent solution to the problem. Therefore, we need to find even more capacity, said Arne Meiswinkel, member of the Volkswagen Management Board.
It didn't work. The representatives of the trade unions left the negotiations without any specifics and emphasized that it was the first time that the negotiations took place in a situation of reconciliation. The workers are ready to return to the negotiating table on December 16.
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However, the two sides disagree on one key issue. The unions announced that further negotiations would be possible if Volkswagen assured them that it would not close its factories. However, the management of the largest European car company is not ready for such a promise.
– It is very regrettable that the leadership stands on its position. Our colleagues still do not know whether they will face job cuts or not, and this applies to everyone in the industry, says Daniela Cavallo, head of the VW Trade Union Council.
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It is not only about the automotive industry. Two weeks ago, Thyssenkrupp announced that it would cut 40 percent of its jobs by 2030. Germany's largest steel producer cites the fight against Asian competition as an example.
Olaf Scholz, whose 16th December will also be the day of judgment due to the vote of confidence, offered state aid to German industry. This is a Made in Germany initiative.
Scholz proposal
– Here is my proposal. Companies that invest in Germany get a very similar bonus in the United States. 10 percent of the production costs will be reimbursed by the state in the form of tax refunds. It is a simple solution that does not differ whether investments are made in digitization, new energy, production sites or modern cars, said the German chancellor.
Scholz, whose days are counted as chancellor, went to the Ford plant, where 2900 people will be laid off in the coming years. He assured that Germany is and will remain the center of European industry.
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Main photo credit: PAP/EPA/Martin Meissner
