Volkswagen opens talks with IG Metall after terminating labor agreements effective end-2026
Volkswagen opened revision talks with IG Metall, citing a sharp industry downturn, and terminated several collective agreements effective Dec. 31, 2026. Their terms remain in force for now, and employment safeguards under the future collective agreement were excluded from the terminations.
1. Talks and agreements
Volkswagen opened revision talks with IG Metall under a clause in its future collective agreement. Management is pushing to accelerate cost cuts, execute the “Group Target Picture 2030” plan and expand socially acceptable headcount reductions. Several collective agreements were terminated effective Dec. 31, 2026, while their terms remain in force for now; employment safeguards under the future collective agreement were excluded. The next round of talks is scheduled for the second half of October.
