Volkswagen and IG Metall Push for Agreement Before Holidays

Negotiations over cost-cutting measures, job reductions, and potential plant closures remain unresolved as warning strikes loom.

Volkswagen is seeking to finalize an agreement with IG Metall by Christmas to avoid prolonging disputes over cost-cutting measures into the holiday season.
The automaker cites the need to address overcapacity, with demand lacking for over 500,000 vehicles, as a key driver for restructuring plans.
Proposed measures include workforce reductions, wage cuts, and potential factory closures, which remain contentious points in the negotiations.
IG Metall has announced plans for warning strikes starting in early December, following three rounds of talks that have yet to yield a resolution.
Both parties are scheduled to resume negotiations on December 9, with Volkswagen expressing cautious optimism about reaching a mutually beneficial solution.