Overview
- Volkswagen gave formal notice on Wednesday, Sept. 30 that it is terminating the bulk of its Haustarif agreements—IG Metall says ten of 13 contracts—effective 31 December 2026 to create a new bargaining mandate.
- IG Metall and the Volkswagen works council denounced the move as an attack on staff and warned of fierce resistance with warning strikes legally possible once the Friedenspflicht ends on 1 January 2027.
- Volkswagen insists the 2024 Zukunftstarifvertrag and its guarantee against operational dismissals through the end of 2029/2030 remain intact and were not part of the cancellations.
- The cancellations put routine protections and pay elements on the table—including wages, working time, special allowances, apprenticeship take‑ups and seniority protections—while statutory after‑effect rules mean some clauses continue until renegotiated.
- Management frames the step as necessary because of sharp competitive pressure from Chinese exporters, US tariffs and high price tension and says the measure supports the broader Zukunftsplan 2030 that envisages deep cost cuts and further job reductions.