Like Ford, the Volkswagen Group is also preparing to implement new measures with the aim of minimizing the impact of shortage of microchips and semiconductors. And exactly like the rival of the Blue Oval, the German group is also ready to implement a series of production cuts: it seems that its intention is to eliminate almost all night shifts in its main plant in Germany, that of Wolfsburgand to do so from the beginning of the second quarter on three assembly lines.
A decision that has infuriated the unions and in particular the head of the works council Daniela Cavallo: the night shifts are in fact the ones that guarantee a pay extra to workerstheir cut would therefore result in less income for employees. “The workers are not responsible for the fact that the order books are overflowing and that vehicles cannot be produced due to the lack of semiconductors”Cavallo said, adding that the council will fight to get at least one partial compensation in favor of workers. According to the latest rumors reported by Autonews, only a fourth assembly line relating to the Tiguan (and its hybrid versions), the Touran and the Seat Tarraco will continue to carry out both early morning, afternoon and night shifts.
We will see how the situation will evolve in the next few days, also because of the crisis caused by the shortage of components it does not appear to be transient: this was precisely the reason for the decrease in production and consequently in sales of the Golf, which is assembled in the Wolfsburg headquarters. “It is inevitable that we change the schedule of shifts to maintain competitiveness and secure long-term jobs – commented Gunnar Kilian, board member responsible for personnel – Unfortunately, this step will also lead to cuts in the workforce and consequently the extra pay for the workers for the night shift ”.
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