Volkswagen Must save: After months of struggle, the VW Group has agreed on a renovation program with the union shortly before Christmas, which among other things Reduction of around 35,000 jobs
provides. Although the job cuts are to be implemented socially acceptable and thus without any operational termination, the uncertainty among employees is great. The pressure to increase efficiency and save on personnel costs is likely to have risen vigorously again due to the youngest US tariffs on auto imports from the EU, also at VW.
But there is currently not bad news for VW employees. Around 370 employees of the group, which were originally only employed for a limited period, and expected that their employment relationship in the Wolfsburg main plant would definitely end in mid -April, can now hope for an unlimited permanent position. The reason for this is a suspected breakdown by VW in the design of the employment contracts.
Most likely, a mistake on the employer on the contract design made of the supposedly temporary, long-term permanent employees, made a spokesman for the VW works council on Thursday. According to the current status of the still ongoing legal examination, it seems that it was not possible for a renewed limitation in 2024 because the labor law was not sufficient for this. Instead, the previous time limit changed into an unlimited permanent position at Volkswagen AG.
Labor law examination continues
However, the labor law examination still runs how both the spokesman for the works council and a spokeswoman for the company emphasized to Manager Magazin. “Volkswagen checks the effectiveness of the expiry of the employment contracts of around 370 temporary employees in the Wolfsburg plant and carefully examines all related relevant facts,” said the spokeswoman. “The aim is to create clarity for everyone involved as soon as possible. As soon as the exam is completed, we will inform you immediately about the next steps.”
The works council and union are also currently struggling for clarity. “The contractual basis of the – allegedly – temporary employees is currently in intensive examination, also on the part of the IG Metall. There are already considerable doubts about the assumption that there is still a time limit. On the other hand, it seems very likely that the approximately 370 affected people have long been part of the Volkswagen tribe and have an unlimited employment relationship, ”said Daniela Cavallo (50).
According to Cavallo, an extension of the current hanging game should be avoided: “Here, hundreds of employees have been going through a change of feelings between uncertainty, disappointment and hope for weeks.” It is time that “finally clarity occurs”. The second representative of IG Metall in Wolfsburg, Christian Matzedda, sees the VW group in responsibility. It is important to finally give colleagues who showed great commitment to the company to finally give certainty about their situation.