BRAUNSCHWEIG (dpa-AFX) - More than 100 mostly former VW managers are defending themselves in court against the new cost-cutting measures in Wolfsburg. A total of around 120 cases are pending at the Braunschweig Labor Court, the first 27 are to be heard on October 15, a court spokesman said. The proceedings concern a salary increase and a 1,000 euro bonus that VW had cut from its senior employees. The "Braunschweiger Zeitung" had previously reported.

According to the court, almost all of the plaintiffs are employees in early retirement who are still on the payroll at VW. Only one of the plaintiffs is still in active service with the car manufacturer, all the others have already retired from working life as part of so-called "temporary securities". With such "time securities", VW employees were able to convert salary components and thus retire earlier - while continuing to receive their salary.

Pay rise canceled for managers

As part of its cost-cutting program, VW decided in the spring to include managers in the scheme. The management circle, which is paid outside of the collective wage agreement, did not receive the expected collective wage increase. As a result, the 3.3 percent salary increase and 1,000 euro inflation adjustment bonus due in May were canceled. Those affected are now referring to a promise made by the car manufacturer in 2023 to take over these components of the collective wage agreement for them.

VW rejects the claims. "We consider the corresponding lawsuits to be unfounded and will present our legal opinion in court," a spokesperson explained on request. "In view of the ongoing proceedings, we ask for your understanding that we will not comment further on the content."

As part of the cost-cutting program, the Group Board of Management led by Oliver Blume had also cut its own salaries and waived five percent of fixed salaries. VW recently tightened its austerity measures once again. Redundancies and plant closures are now also on the cards. In the current round of collective bargaining, VW rejected IG Metall's demand for a seven percent wage increase and is threatening to cut salaries. According to the union, this would effectively amount to a pay cut./fjo/DP/ngu