In an effort to cut costs, automaker Volkswagen terminated most of its collective wage agreements in Germany. This could reignite disputes with employee representatives.
How does that not provoke an insta-strike? I mean, if they’re violating their contract with the workers then that means all the workers should immediately stop working, right?
Because not striking is part of that agreement which VW is legally terminating as the actual contract it is and while following the correct notice period.
There is a notice period until the beginning of next year. In the meantime the agreement is still standing. So no strikes, but also Volkswagen has to keep to the agreement until then.
How is that even legal?
It is basically a legal contract and those have clauses in them, which allow them to be terminated. However part of that is that the unions do not strike. This is almost certain to lead to a massive strike.
Realistically, I don’t think that VW is going to get people working in Germany at wages that are going to let VW successfully compete with Chinese automakers, collective bargaining or no. Like, I expect that in the long run, they’re going to have to shift more stuff abroad.
Isn’t one of the reasons the massive support from Chinese government?
Wait until you hear about the labour conditions at Chinese carmakers.
The means of production was it? Mao would be rolling in his grave.
early 2024, mass worker strikes erupted in the company’s factories in Wuxi and Chengdu, China. Thousands protested pay cuts and reduced benefits following BYD’s acquisition of Green Point, a manufacturing firm previously owned by Jabil. Despite promises to maintain existing wages and benefits for 18 months, BYD implemented a five-day, 8-hour work schedule in early 2024, causing workers’ monthly income to plummet from 5,000–6,800 yuan to as low as 3,000–4,000 yuan—barely above China’s minimum wage. As many rely on overtime to survive, workers allege that the move was a tactic to push them to resign voluntarily and avoid severance payouts.
The strikes quickly spread from Wuxi to Chengdu. Chinese authorities responded with a heavy hand: police detained some protesters, reflecting the harsh reality of labour rights activism in mainland China. Although BYD attempted to placate workers with holiday overtime compensation, unrest continues to simmer across its facilities.
Fuck The Folks-wagon.
Not that I would ever buy a car from these emissions lying dirtbags.
Are there any auto manufacturers that aren’t pieces of shit?
Look up capitalism to answer your question.
I saw a video about it, Koenigsegg seemed pretty ok as a workplace.
Ah, the car for everybody
I believe the technical term for this kind of behavior is “fukt shit, yo”
Had been hoping for an ID.Buzz at some point but between this and the weapons deals VW is off my radar again.
Had been hoping for an ID.Buzz at some point but between this and the weapons deals VW is off my radar again.
Fair point. It’s not limited to VW, though, particularly China’s BYD and CATL are also working for the Chinese military.
