EMDEN (dpa-AFX) - The Volkswagen Board of Management led by Oliver Blume has been sharply criticized at a works meeting at the Emden plant for its actions in the current crisis. The way in which the Board of Management has been trampling on co-determination, collective agreements and job security for three months is unprecedented in German economic history, Works Council Chairman Manfred Wulff was quoted as saying in a statement after the meeting.

Great worries and fears before Christmas

Instead of looking for solutions at the negotiating table, the VW management is unnecessarily exacerbating the conflict and causing great concern and anxiety for over 120,000 families in Germany before Christmas, it was further reported from the seaport town in East Frisia. Group CEO Blume has shown for months that he has no vision for the future of the German sites.

The fronts have hardened in the wage dispute about wage cuts, plant closures and job cuts that has been ongoing since September. At the works meeting in Wolfsburg on Wednesday, Blume reaffirmed the austerity measures, but still did not provide any details on specific plant closures. The plant in Emden has recently often been described as being at risk.

Works Council emphasizes Emden's locational advantages

The works council therefore also used the meeting on Friday to emphasize the advantages of the location near the North Sea coast. "No other plant has such good connections to the port, rail and road, industrial park and renewable energies as Emden," said the employee representatives. But unfortunately, Volkswagen is not making use of its strengths. "The well-developed industrial park in Emden is deserted and Volkswagen is becoming Germany's laughing stock in the international media."

IG Metall has called for the second nationwide warning strike at Volkswagen on Monday. A protest rally is planned in Wolfsburg, where the fourth round of collective bargaining is due to take place, immediately before negotiations begin./bch/DP/ngu