Employees at auto suppliers fear for their jobs

Works councils and IG Metall have warned of the loss of hundreds to thousands of jobs at suppliers around the Volkswagen plant in Zwickau. Entire locations could also be at risk of closure, according to a statement. The reason for this is Volkswagen’s plans to further scale back production at its only East German car plant in 2027 and to close an entire assembly line. As a result, a massive slump is also feared next year among suppliers and logistics companies, according to IG Metall Zwickau. 

“At Volkswagen, we have job security guarantees through 2030,” explained union secretary Sascha Weißmann. “We do not have these guarantees at the supplier and contract logistics companies.” 

Open Letter from Works Council Members

In an open letter, several works council chairs from supplier companies point out that their colleagues have made a significant contribution to the success of Saxony as an automotive hub in recent years. They have consistently demonstrated flexibility and supported extended shifts and special shifts. “This makes it all the more shameful that they are now facing uncertainty and a lack of prospects.” 

They are calling on Volkswagen to commit to the Zwickau location, ensure sufficient production volumes for the entire value chain, and provide transparent information about future capacity utilization and site planning. The works council members are calling on their own companies to enter into negotiations to secure jobs, the future of the workforce, and the long-term viability of the site. Should job cuts nevertheless become necessary, they say, “socially acceptable solutions—including training, job placement assistance, and fair severance packages”—are needed.