The Left Criticizes Kretschmer's Plans for the VW Plant in Zwickau

How can the VW plant in Zwickau be saved? The state parliament addressed this question at the request of The Left. Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU) used the debate to once again advocate for his proposal to establish an independent company for the site. 

The goal, he said, is to make the plant more competitive and secure its long-term future. “Silence, ladies and gentlemen, is a slow death for Zwickau/Mosel,” he said. Saxony must put forward its own proposals and persuade the company to engage in talks about the plant’s future.

“Taking an interest is, after all, not yet a plan”

The Left Party had framed the debate under the slogan “Wage cuts are not the solution—save the Saxon VW plants with the workers, not against them, Mr. Kretschmer!” Left Party politician Susanne Schaper did welcome the fact that Kretschmer was concerned about the plant’s future. But she said that mere concern is not a plan. It is not enough to “sit in the State Chancellery and schedule people out of their Saturdays.” Kretschmer must talk with the employees, not against them.

According to VW’s current plans, vehicle production in Zwickau is set to phase out in 2031. To prevent this, Kretschmer had proposed—in addition to founding an “Autounion Sachsen GmbH”—a new working-time model and an innovative collective bargaining agreement. Kretschmer would like to meet with the union and the works council soon to promote his plans.

A Well-Thought-Out Concept Is Needed

BSW representative Bernd Rudolph first demanded evidence of the economic benefits of longer working hours and lower wages. A new company could be an opportunity, but it needs a viable business model, investors, concrete products, and orders. Concessions on salaries and working hours would be conceivable, at most, only as part of a well-thought-out concept and in conjunction with far-reaching employment guarantees.

Kay Ritter of the CDU emphasized that management must take responsibility and that Volkswagen must commit to the location. At the same time, the interests of employees and economic competitiveness must not be pitted against one another. “Without skilled workers, there can be no quality production. Without investment, there can be no job security.”