Volkswagen: “We are prepared”: IG Metall gives VW an ultimatum and threatens industrial action – collective bargaining negotiations are likely to take place

Dusseldorf. IG Metall is increasing the pressure on the board in the dispute over austerity measures at Volkswagen. The union is calling on the car manufacturer to withdraw the termination of ten collective agreements by the end of October. Otherwise, she will prepare for a labor dispute, said negotiator Thorsten Gröger on Friday in Hanover before the second review meeting with the company. “We are not looking for conflict, but we are prepared.”

Gröger expressly referred to the end of the peace obligation on December 31st. The board members should “circle this date on their calendar.” How hard the dispute will be lies in the hands of CEO Oliver Blume and his colleagues. The union will involve the workforce more closely in the coming weeks and prepare for an escalation.

When asked, Gröger mentioned organizational preparations for possible 24-hour warning strikes or a strike vote. In addition, the union shop stewards should familiarize themselves with the legal framework. He did not want to disclose details of the strategy and schedule.

At the same time, IG Metall is calling for negotiations to begin on November 24th. According to the arbitration and conciliation agreement agreed with Volkswagen, the collective bargaining negotiations must begin on December 3rd at the latest, said Gröger. The union wants to start its proposal nine days before this deadline. Gröger did not announce an agreement with the company regarding the November date.