Christiane Benner, first chairwoman of IG Metall and deputy chairwoman of the supervisory board at Continental, Francesco Grioli, member of the executive board of IGBCE and the Continental supervisory board, commented on a possible split of the Continental Group and the examination of a spin-off in the automotive sector, and Hasan Allak, Chairman of the Group Works Council and Member of the Supervisory Board of Continental AG in a joint statement as follows:
After many detours, Continental’s decision to examine a spin-off from the automotive sector is the last exit before the dead end. The top priority must now be to show employees clear perspectives and resilient goals as quickly as possible.
What is now required are functioning business models and solid capital resources for all parts of the company. What is crucial is being able to invest heavily – in innovations and secure jobs. These elements are important signals not only for investors, but above all for employees. Without them nothing works! Since the beginning of the transformation at Continental, it has been primarily they who have had to bear the burden of the restructuring. This needs to end now.
Collective bargaining and comprehensive co-determination are therefore crucial prerequisites for us for the further process. There can be no falling behind the status quo. For years, employee representatives have made comprehensive suggestions at all levels for shaping the future of the company. They must be heard now.