The IG Metall union has threatened the Volkswagen Group with severe resistance, including regular strikes, over the ongoing dispute concerning jobs and factory operations. This warning was issued by Thorsten Gröger, the union’s regional leader responsible for Lower Saxony, in an interview with Stern.
Gröger stated that if the management board, led by Oliver Blume, proceeds with its plans announced before the summer break during the upcoming works councils meetings, the company will face maximal opposition. Blume recently reaffirmed these plans, which include the potential shutdown of automotive production in the Emden, Hannover, Zwickau, and Neckarsulm plants, resulting in the elimination of 100,000 jobs across the Group.
Gröger criticized the board’s communication strategy vehemently. “The manner in which the communication has taken place has been a disaster,” he asserted. “To this day, the employees are only hearing speculation from the media instead of getting direct statements from their own board. What was delivered before the summer break simply cannot stand.”
The regional leader did not target only the management board; he also criticized the Porsche-Piech family, which holds the majority stake in the Volkswagen Group, especially after they had recently pushed for cost savings. Gröger suggested that anyone attempting to leverage the current situation to secure dividends or short-term profits was risking the sustainable, long-term future of the company. Regarding the major shareholders, he warned, “We will not tolerate this. Everyone is now called upon to participate, especially those who normally profit from millions in dividends.”
Gröger also urged the major investors to respect the traditional consensus that exists between labor representatives and the capital side at Volkswagen. “If you want to terminate this consensus, things become extremely dangerous,” he said. He emphasized the company’s historical roots, noting, “Volkswagen is not just any company: we all know that Volkswagen was founded on the basis of looted union funds by the National Socialists. If an owner does not keep that DNA in focus, they do not belong here,” he added, referring to recent threats from the Porsche SE holding family.
Finally, Gröger indicated that employee representatives have already been preparing for regular strikes at VW for the autumn, which would be a first in the company’s history. While noting that these preparations are necessary for the normal collective bargaining round coming up at the end of the year, he clarified the intent: “We must always be able to escalate. But I want to be clear: escalation is not our goal, but we are capable of taking action.”
