Thousands of angry Volkswagen (VW) workers from across Germany descended on the company’s headquarters to protest threatened mass layoffs at the automaker on Thursday, as labour leaders met with the company for negotiations.
The IG Metall trade union said more than 6,000 workers joined the protests from all 10 VW plants in Germany, demonstrating outside the doors of the arena in Wolfsburg where collective bargaining talks are being held.
“Future instead of cutbacks” and “All plants must remain” were among the slogans on banners. As potential strikes loom at Volkswagen in the coming weeks, the workers chanted “We are ready!”
“This is just a foretaste of what will happen from December onwards if the company does not take our concrete proposals for solutions seriously,” said VW Works Council Chairwoman Daniela Cavallo.
A mandatory labour peace period, which prohibits strikes during initial negotiations, is due to expire at the end of the month.
“Today is the very last chance for Volkswagen to find a good solution without plant closures and mass layoffs before the end of the peace period,” warned Thorsten Gröger, IG Metall’s chief negotiator. Otherwise there is a risk of escalation from December 1.
“If no solution is found today, there will be no further chance in November,” Gröger said. “Then we will prepare for industrial action.”
