Volkswagen workers threaten massive strikes starting January 2027

Volkswagen employees have issued a strike warning if the company does not reinstate terminated collective bargaining agreements by the end of next week. The IG Metall union, representing approximately 100,000 workers, stated that if management does not reverse its decision to unilaterally terminate these contracts, large-scale industrial action will begin on January 1, 2027.

Thorsten Gröger, the IG Metall Lower Saxony regional manager and Volkswagen chief negotiator, described the situation as a potential confrontation “larger than anything this company has experienced before.” The dispute follows Volkswagen's September 30 announcement that it would terminate several internal collective agreements due to economic difficulties and cost-cutting measures.

Daniela Cavallo, Chair of the Volkswagen Works Council, criticized the company's austerity plans, characterizing them as a “declaration of war” against employees. She urged the highly compensated management board to collaborate on solutions rather than shifting the burden of economic challenges onto the workforce.