Volkswagen terminates 10 collective agreements, raising prospect of strikes from January 2027
Volkswagen has given notice on 10 collective agreements, including rules covering working hours, pay supplements and some training provisions, saying cost pressure means they need adjustment. The agreements are due to end on 31 December 2026; Volkswagen says they remain in force for now, while the job-security agreement protecting against operational redundancies through 2030 is excluded. IG Metall wants the terminations withdrawn by the end of October and says strikes could begin on 1 January if the dispute is unresolved.
Bottom line — The job-security agreement runs through 2030, but IG Metall says the wider dispute could lead to strikes from 1 January 2027.
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Volkswagen cites Chinese competition, trade barriers and a worsened financial position as reasons for seeking changes.
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IG Metall says employees have already contributed €1.5 billion a year in labour-cost savings under the 2024 agreement.
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Volkswagen says the terminations create room for further negotiations; it argues the industry’s conditions have changed significantly.
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IG Metall is seeking a 5% pay rise over 12 months in the 2026 bargaining round.
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The union says 10 agreements were terminated; Volkswagen did not specify the number, according to Tagesschau.