Employees of Volkswagen (VW) plants in Germany are set to begin a strike next week following unsuccessful negotiations between the company’s management and the IG Metall union.
The union, which represents the majority of VW workers in Germany, and the company leadership failed to reach an agreement on cost-cutting measures. These measures are necessary for the automaker due to the weakening electric vehicle market and increased competition.
According to an IG Metall representative, the strikes will commence on Monday in the form of warning actions, during which employees will halt work for several hours a day. The duration of the protests will depend on the progress of negotiations.
Volkswagen operates 10 plants in Germany, employing approximately 300,000 people. The strike is expected to involve around 120,000 employees at facilities in Wolfsburg, Braunschweig, Hanover, Salzgitter, Emden, and Kassel.
The most recent round of talks between VW and the union ended without an agreement. The next negotiations are scheduled for December 9.
