IG Metall

The management board has instructed the worldwide HR managers to zero rounds until 2030, i.e., to freeze the current tariff level and suspend any wage increases.

— Statement attributed to the Volkswagen Management Board in IG Metall's release

absurd

— The European and World Works Council (E/WKBR) called the plans 'absurd' in a statement, adding that a worldwide implementation is unlikely to be realistic.

This is a dirty foul on the workforce and, once again, a shameless attempt to reach into the employees' pockets.

— Thorsten Gröger, head of IG Metall in Lower Saxony, commenting on VW's termination of tariff agreements

The move is 'disrespectful toward its own employees,' he told Deutschlandfunk. At the same time, it would be 'irresponsible toward the company itself' to spark a conflict that VW cannot afford.

— Thorsten Gröger, IG Metall district leader, in an interview with Deutschlandfunk

That is an ugly foul on the workforce and, once again, a shameless attempt to reach into the employees' pockets.

— IG Metall, in response to VW's termination of tariff agreements

To increase working hours without wage compensation is, in the company's view, 'the most direct and fairest way' to reduce these costs.

— Mercedes-Benz spokesperson, cited by SWR/Handelsblatt, in the context of the plan for a 38-hour week without pay increases

Plant closures are not possible with IG Metall anyway.

— Christiane Brenner, head of IG Metall, said that plant closures are not possible with IG Metall anyway.