Electronics shortages and production slumps ensure shift cuts at VW headquarters. However, a clear layer model is still missing. What VW is planning now to survive the chip shortage phase.
Because of the production slumps caused by the chip crisis, Volkswagen is not planning to cut any more shifts outside of the Wolfsburg main plant for the time being – but the works council is continuing to put pressure on improved chip purchasing.
“We had to phase out temporary work at almost all locations and therefore changed course at the turn of the year,” said Human Resources Director Gunnar Kilian of the German Press Agency. Plants like Emden have also been geared towards two-shift operation instead of three-shift for some time.
No shifts due to lack of electronics
At its headquarters, however, VW will probably cut most night shifts from mid-April. The reason is the continuing lack of electronics. Last year, 330,000 fewer cars were built in Wolfsburg. And the almost 400,000 vehicles still manufactured are a low since 1958.
The works council had criticized the management’s purchasing policy. He is now demanding compensation for the loss of shifts to affected employees. “The other vehicle-producing locations are a step ahead of Wolfsburg in the transition to e-mobility,” said Chairwoman Daniela Cavallo. “That’s why we fought to bring the ID.3 here to have enough options.” The electric model is to be partially manufactured in Wolfsburg from 2023 and then fully from 2024. In the current crisis at the main plant, however, the board of directors must accommodate the workforce.
“We have full order books – it’s not like we generally have a problem with capacity utilization,” emphasized Cavallo. “But the semiconductors are missing. It doesn’t go together and it’s hard to bear.” The colleagues see “that it should actually work. So the company must also move and take this situation into account.” A financial cushion is necessary.
Clarity about shift models
Kilian said of the negotiations: “This is not an easy discussion that we are in right now.” However, there is “a great interest on both sides in giving the workforce clarity about the new shift models as quickly as possible”. It’s not just about money, but also about the private life of long-time night shift colleagues, for example in coordination with childcare or nursing. The restructuring cannot be averted overall, explained the group’s HR manager: “If we cannot achieve the corresponding production volumes, as is currently the case with the semiconductor crisis, we must act. Because in the end it is also about maintaining competitiveness and thus job security.»
The consequences of the global slump in microchips are difficult to foresee. “It’s not just a short phase that we’re talking about here,” said Kilian. “We can see that we will no longer be able to use the previous shift model at the Wolfsburg site in the medium term.” Cavallo confirmed that the acute changes should now be discussed quickly: “We are working at full speed to reach an agreement in a timely manner. People want to know: When will shift models change and what will my work look like then?” Adjacent areas adjacent to assembly are also likely to be impacted.
Chip crisis impacts purchasing
The shortage of chips must have far-reaching consequences for purchasing at Volkswagen, said Cavallo, who also sits on the supervisory board. “Certainly a lot has happened. We have the semiconductor supply task force. But it’s also about building up a strategic, long-term supply management system – not just for microchips, by the way.” Other manufacturers, for example, are already involved in chip design and can thus better secure the necessary quantities from their suppliers. “That’s recognized here – but it will take a certain amount of time until everything is finally set up.”
Kilian pointed out that other industries besides car manufacturers also underestimated the difficulties. VW Purchasing Director Murat Aksel announced more partnership-based relationships with suppliers, while CEO Herbert Diess relies, among other things, on long-term contracts with more planning security for everyone involved.
How to make the working time models in car production more flexible, similar to those for employees working from home, will be negotiated later, Cavallo announced. “We are not currently discussing that because we have to deal with the many other issues first. It wouldn’t be good to bring in more turmoil than we already have.” The company management is probably not ready for this at the moment.
Source: Stern
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
