VW and IG Metall set talks for 24 November, but clash over job transfer companies

Talks dated after a second review meeting

Volkswagen and IG Metall agreed on Friday, 23 October 2026, to start formal negotiations at a second review meeting in Hannover on the 2024 pact. Talks begin on 24 November in Emden and continue on 15 December in Zwickau, a choice that meets the union's demand for talks at plants with uncertain long-term prospects. VW says its aim is to lower labour costs as quickly as possible. The dispute flared again on 23 October, when IG Metall said it rejects a central management proposal and accuses the board of undermining employment security through 2030.

Ten collective agreements terminated

The conflict traces back to the first review meeting on 30 September 2026, when the company announced it would terminate, in whole or in part, ten of its 13 collective agreements effective 31 December 2026. Among them are the pay agreement and the framework agreement, which govern working hours and holiday entitlements, among other things. EL PAÍS describes those ten as nearly all of the group's collective agreements in Germany. In late September the union had demanded a 5% pay rise, and the terminations now put pay on the negotiating table. Europa Press reports that the terminations also reopen bonuses and hiring rules for negotiation.

Job cuts and wage plans

According to Spiegel Online and Focus, Volkswagen plans 12,000 further job cuts by 2030, on top of the more than 35,000 reductions negotiated two years ago for the same scope. Reports say the board around CEO Oliver Blume wants to cut about 50,000 jobs worldwide by 2030, in addition to existing plans. NDR reports that the supervisory board decided in early September 2026 to cut 50,000 additional jobs worldwide. German media, as reported by Europa Press, describe a planned wage freeze in Germany until 2030, with pay held at 2026 levels. Arne Meiswinkel, who heads human resources for the Volkswagen brand, said the economic situation had deteriorated drastically since the 2024 agreement and that urgent measures were needed. The company says the cuts should be socially responsible.

Union prepares strikes

IG Metall has given Volkswagen until the end of October to withdraw the terminations, and says it will organise strikes and other industrial action once the peace obligation expires on 31 December. District leader Thorsten Gröger warned of serious consequences if the company does not reverse course, and NDR reports that the VW plants in Hannover, Zwickau and Emden and the Audi plant in Neckarsulm are at risk. Group works council chair Daniela Cavallo joined the union's statement ahead of the Hannover meeting. Gröger argued that the costs should fall on shareholders rather than contributors or the public:

Before the contribution payers step in, the shareholders have to step up.

The union accuses the board of undermining employment security through 2030 and of shifting the cost of job cuts onto the public.

Transfer companies at the centre of the dispute

Volkswagen wants to negotiate publicly subsidised transfer companies in the coming bargaining round, as a route for staff whose posts are cut. Transfer companies are transitional arrangements, and the Federal Employment Agency can cover part of the pay through transfer short-time allowance. According to dpa information from company circles, VW could imagine transfers for production staff as well as for administration and development staff. Participation would have to be voluntary, and the company said it was still unclear how many staff might move. IG Metall calls the proposal a breach of promise without a sound legal basis, and says such schemes have so far been used mainly in restructurings and plant closures. The union wants the company to secure its future through new products, new markets and technology leadership instead.