Car crisis
VW boss defends austerity measures at works meeting
In the struggle for cuts at VW, CEO Blume faces the workforce. He defends the austerity measures in front of his employees. But many questions remain unanswered.
Volkswagen boss Oliver Blume defended the tightened austerity measures of Europe’s largest car manufacturer at the works meeting in Wolfsburg. “The current situation is serious,” said Blume, according to a statement at the non-public staff meeting at the main plant.
“Therefore, urgent measures are needed to secure the future of Volkswagen.” Competitive pressure is increasing, but at the same time demand is shrinking. “In addition, our labor costs in Germany have now become too high,” says Blume.
With regard to the ongoing collective bargaining dispute with IG Metall, he emphasizes: “We are interested in finding a solution together.” Negotiations must therefore continue and we must work together on measurable and, above all, sustainable solutions.
The counter-concept presented by IG Metall for savings without plant closures is far from sufficient here. But it could be a “starting point,” says the VW boss.
“Our products are good, now we have to reduce costs – in all areas,” demands Blume. “We can build the best cars in the world – but that doesn’t matter if we don’t make any money with them.”
Volkswagen is demanding a ten percent wage cut due to the company’s difficult situation. There are also plant closures and redundancies for operational reasons. The collective bargaining talks between the group and IG Metall will continue next Monday.
Just on Monday, tens of thousands protested in front of the board building against the company’s austerity plans, and 47,000 went on a warning strike for two hours in Wolfsburg alone.
dpa
Source: Stern
