VW on collective bargaining round: "Don't let any more time pass"

At the start of the fifth round of collective bargaining at Volkswagen, the company is also pushing for an end to the dispute. "We must not let any more time pass," said VW chief negotiator Arne Meiswinkel at the start of the talks in Hanover. "There is an acute need for action."

However, the positions are still far apart, Meiswinkel admitted. "The goal now is to find a solution together. That is our joint responsibility." This is the only way to secure the future of the company. "To do this, we need to find further financial potential that will lead to sustainable cost reductions."

Agreement before Christmas is being sought

Representatives of the company and IG Metall met in Hanover late this morning for their fifth round of collective bargaining. In a two-day negotiation marathon, they want to try and reach an agreement before Christmas.

Volkswagen is demanding a ten percent pay cut due to the Group's difficult situation. Plant closures and compulsory redundancies are still on the table. IG Metall, on the other hand, is demanding the preservation of all locations and an employment guarantee for the approximately 130,000 employees. It rejects permanent cuts to monthly wages.

It is not possible to estimate how long the talks will last, according to IG Metall. After the fourth round of negotiations a week ago, both sides reported constructive talks for the first time. However, neither side has yet spoken of a genuine rapprochement.