Volkswagen Workers Strike Amid Pay Cuts

Thousands of Volkswagen workers across nine factories in Germany, including the main facility in Wolfsburg, initiated rolling two-hour strikes in response to proposed pay cuts and factory closures. The IG Metall union represents the affected workers and indicates that these strikes are a warning of possible longer walkouts if negotiations fail. Volkswagen plans to cut pay by 10% for its 120,000 German employees and has proposed closing at least three factories, citing a need to adapt to a declining European auto market and increasing competition from Chinese manufacturers. Workers are demanding that management share the burden of financial challenges rather than relying solely on employee sacrifices. The next round of negotiations is scheduled for December 9, with union leaders indicating heightened pressure on the company ahead of these talks. The situation represents a significant escalation in Volkswagen's labor disputes, with potential implications for the company's operations and workforce stability.