According to IG Metall, employees at the VW plant in Baunatal in northern Hesse were angry and disappointed at a works meeting about the company’s tightened austerity measures. There is no doubt about the challenges facing the automotive industry, said the first representative of IG Metall Nordhessen, Oliver Dietzel, to the German Press Agency. However, it is incomprehensible that when a harsh wind arises “there is an immediate threat of factory closures”. Europe’s largest car manufacturer announced on Monday that factory closures and redundancies for operational reasons are no longer ruled out as part of the austerity program for the core VW brand. With around 15,500 employees, Baunatal in the Kassel district is the Volkswagen Group’s largest components plant in the world – it is considered the largest employer in northern Hesse. Large parts of the electric drive train are manufactured in Baunatal. The works council considers the Baunatal site to be future-proof. From the works council’s point of view, the plant in Kassel-Baunatal is set up to be “very future-proof”. “We started the transformation process for our components plant more early than almost any other competitor,” says a spokesman for the general works council. The factory has been developed into a competence center for electric drives since 2016. Most recently, Kassel was awarded the contract for the large-scale casting competence center, whose work will be needed, for example, for future battery frames. The most important product for combustion engines is the double-shift transmission, which is no longer needed in electric cars. The early path towards electromobility has also proven to be the right one in retrospect. “The drive transition will ensure that, sooner or later, 70 percent of the previous added value associated with the combustion engine powertrain will disappear in our VW component plants,” said the spokesman. This makes it clear how essential new business areas are that complement existing ones and, depending on the further ramp-up of e-mobility, can replace them. Trade unionist fears effects on jobs without investments. Trade unionist Dietzel also stated that he does not see the VW plant in Baunatal on the brink. Only recently more than 800 employees were hired there as temporary workers. However, it is to be feared that a lack of investment in the location could massively endanger jobs in the medium and long term. The company management has been signaled that it is willing to talk, but the prerequisite is that the board “comes to its senses”. “The conflict did not come from us, but if it is forced on us, we will accept it,” said the trade unionist. He also sees the tightened austerity measures as a “threatening scenario” with a view to the upcoming collective bargaining round in the metal and electrical industries in the fall. More on the topic Hesse’s Economics Minister Kaweh Mansoori (SPD) also took part in the works meeting. He also explained that the VW plant in Baunatal and its employees there were “a key to VW’s success in the future.” When he visited the factory three weeks ago, he was able to see for himself the competencies and skills. “A lot has been invested there and the most modern production technologies are in use. Innovation is happening there,” said the minister, who also reiterated: “We stand by the employees in Baunatal. What is needed now is investment and discussions about an idea for the future, not threatening gestures.” Since the company’s announcement, it has been in discussions with the works councils and IG Metall. “We will also speak bilaterally with the board,” said Mansoori. To this end, we will also coordinate closely with the state governments of the other VW locations and the employee representatives.
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