VW Workers Scale Up Strikes to Oppose German Plant Closures

Volkswagen workers will go on strike for a prolonged period of time on Monday, escalating a heated disagreement with management over layoffs and the first manufacturing closures on German territory for Europe's largest carmaker, according to a union statement released.

The IG Metall union announced that workers will go on strike for four hours at nine separate locations around the country in so-called "warning" strikes, which would last twice as long as the first round of industrial action in early December.

The walkouts are timed to coincide with the next round of talks between Volkswagen and labor leaders about cost-cutting measures, which the corporation claims are necessary to remain competitive in the face of growing expenses and international competitors.

The problem at the biggest manufacturer in Europe has struck Germany during a period of economic instability, political unrest at home, and general unrest among automakers in the region.

Oliver Blume, the CEO of the Volkswagen Group, defended his choices on Wednesday, claiming that management could not function "in a fantasy world" and that they were necessary in a setting that was changing quickly.

"It borders on mockery when Oliver Blume stands in front of the workforce and wishes them a Merry Christmas, while at the same time the VW board would prefer to put letters of termination under the Christmas tree for the employees," Thorsten Groeger, the negotiator for IG

"We will now step up our efforts on December 9th and thus increase the pressure on the company at the negotiating table," he added in a press release.

With thousands of employment at automakers and their suppliers at risk due to a deteriorating European market and a slower-than-anticipated adoption of electric vehicles, Europe's automotive industry is in disarray.

Shortly before negotiations begin, hundreds of Volkswagen workers are anticipated to turn out for a rally in Wolfsburg, the company's headquarters, on Monday morning, December 9.

Union officials have hinted that if an agreement is not reached during next week's negotiations, workers may step up their pressure, which might result in prolonged and potentially even open-ended strikes.