Konzern in der Krise: IG-Metall-Chefin wirft VW-Chef schwere Fehler vor

In the midst of a crisis at the Volkswagen Group, IG-Metall's head, Christiane Benner, has harshly criticized Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume for significant mistakes in managing the workforce. Speaking to the "Augsburger Allgemeine", Benner accused Blume of disregarding collective agreements and the company's historical responsibility when announcing factory closures. She vowed resistance to the closure of plants in Emden, Zwickau, Hannover, and Neckarsulm during the upcoming supervisory board meeting.

Benner maintains that the plants in Emden, Zwickau, Hannover, and Neckarsulm will not be closed, stating, "We will not close Emden and Zwickau, nor Neckarsulm and Hannover." She announced her opposition to the supervisory board meeting scheduled for this Friday. As the deputy chair of the supervisory board, Benner is a member of the control group and represents the interests of the IG-Metall union.

Current discussions at Volkswagen revolve around additional cost-cutting measures, with the aim of eliminating 50,000 jobs by 2030. This plan falls short of the 10,000 additional jobs that some sources suggest are necessary. The threatened shutdowns include the VW plants in Emden, Hannover, Zwickau, and the Audi plant in Neckarsulm, all of which are considered uncompetitive for the 2030s, according to Blume.

Benner strongly condemns the VW leadership, stating, "It is a significant mistake by the VW leadership to include Emden, Zwickau, Hannover, and Neckarsulm in the closure plans while simultaneously announcing a need to increase profitability from 3.8 to eight to ten percent by 2030." A key point Benner emphasizes is that the company agreed to a 2024 deal, which the management has a responsibility to uphold.

She also highlights the company's historical responsibility to balance economic efficiency with social aspects. "The historical DNA of the company is that economic efficiency and social responsibility must be balanced," Benner argues. She emphasizes that the region of Ostfriesland depends financially on the VW plant in Emden, with approximately 30,000 jobs linked to it.

Similarly, Zwickau cannot be closed, as every fourth job in Eastern Germany is dependent on the automotive industry. Benner calls for the two plants to be revitalized with new models and innovative business models.

Benner expresses her frustration with the VW management's approach: "Why does the management led by Blume now create confusion and anxiety among workers in Emden and Zwickau, when we have ample time to develop perspectives for these locations?" She criticizes Blume's communication strategy, accusing him of spreading misinformation and contributing to a decline in morale among employees, especially as many are questioning their future at the company.