Volkswagen Schedules August Staff Assemblies Amid Threat of Massive Job Cuts

The Volkswagen works council announced that extraordinary staff assemblies will be held in August. CEO Oliver Blume will meet employees at the company headquarters in Wolfsburg on August 25, followed by sessions at the Emden and Zwickau plants on August 26. The gatherings are intended to give workers a direct forum to question the company’s restructuring plans.

Reuters

Volkswagen is already implementing a programme to cut 50,000 jobs. The works council warned that the CEO has indicated the possibility of eliminating an additional 50,000 positions, raising the total at risk to 140,000. Plant closures slated for after 2030 could jeopardise another 40,000 jobs, with Emden and Zwickau identified as two of the four facilities facing possible shutdown if no alternatives are found.

Reuters

Oliver Blume stated that further cuts are necessary for Volkswagen to remain cost-competitive, emphasizing the need to “become competitive on costs.” The works council framed the assemblies as an opportunity for employees to “grill” the CEO on the impact of the proposed reductions. A Volkswagen spokesperson declined to comment on the figures, noting that “there are currently no agreements.”

Reuters

The works council’s call for the assemblies reflects broader worker unease about the scale of the restructuring. By scheduling the meetings, the council seeks to pressure management for clearer alternatives to plant closures and to mitigate the projected loss of tens of thousands of jobs.

Reuters

• “BERLIN, July 17 (Reuters) - The works council of German carmaker Volkswagen said ?on Friday it will host extraordinary staff assemblies in August with CEO Oliver Blume, giving workers the opportunity to grill him on plans threatening up to 140,000 jobs.” — Works Council, Volkswagen

Reuters

• “Volkswagen could axe another 50,000 jobs on top of 50,000 job cuts already under way in order to become competitive on costs, Blumehas said.” — Oliver Blume, CEO, Volkswagen

Reuters

• “The threatened plant closures after 2030 endanger another 40,000 jobs, the works council said.” — Works Council, Volkswagen

Reuters

• “A Volkswagen spokesperson said there were currently no agreements and therefore declined to comment on the figure.” — Volkswagen spokesperson

Reuters