WOLFSBURG (dpa-AFX) - IG Metall is threatening to extend the warning strikes again ahead of the fourth round of wage talks at VW. "Now it's up to the company," said chief negotiator Thorsten Groger before the start of talks in Wolfsburg. "The company must now move towards IG Metall."

Otherwise there is a risk of further escalation of the labor dispute, said VW Works Council Chairwoman Daniela Cavallo, who is also sitting at the negotiating table for the union. They are still in warning strike mode. "But if there is a further escalation, of course, then the next stage will be ignited."

Accompanied by new warning strikes, representatives of VW and IG Metall are meeting in Wolfsburg this afternoon for their fourth round of collective bargaining. VW is demanding a ten percent pay cut from its employees due to sales difficulties. Plant closures and compulsory redundancies are also on the table. IG Metall wants to prevent this and is demanding the retention of all sites and an employment guarantee for the approximately 130,000 employees. The union rejects wage cuts.

An agreement before Christmas is still possible, said Groger. It is rather unlikely that a deal will be reached today. "That would be very challenging to achieve in a single deadline." However, IG Metall is prepared to schedule further negotiation dates before Christmas./fjo/DP/mis