German carmaker Audi holding talks with works council after struggles

The board of German carmaker Audi is holding discussions with the works council over the company’s struggles.

“In difficult economic times, the works council and the company discuss how to avoid redundancies,” said Jörg Schlagbauer, head of the central works council.

A report by the Manager Magazin said Audi is seeking to cut several thousands jobs in Germany in the medium term, with around 4,500 jobs at risk including 2,000 in development alone.

Schlagbauer said: “We are in talks with the company about the content-related goals of making Audi weatherproof, but not yet in negotiations. We are seeking clear structures, faster decision-making, improved processes and more value creation at Audi.”

Audi employs around 54,000 people in Germany. In 2019, management and the works council agreed on a “socially responsible reduction of up to 9,500 jobs along the demographic curve by 2025.” According to Audi, the programme is largely complete.

An Audi spokeswoman emphasized that the company’s employment guarantee remains in place up to 2029, as confirmed by chief financial officer Jürgen Rittersberger on Tuesday.

However, new hires are to be “handpicked,” with a focus on increasing efficiency and competitiveness.

The board of German carmaker Audi is holding discussions with the works council over the company’s struggles.

“In difficult economic times, the works council and the company discuss how to avoid redundancies,” said Jörg Schlagbauer, head of the central works council.

A report by the Manager Magazin said Audi is seeking to cut several thousands jobs in Germany in the medium term, with around 4,500 jobs at risk including 2,000 in development alone.

Schlagbauer said: “We are in talks with the company about the content-related goals of making Audi weatherproof, but not yet in negotiations. We are seeking clear structures, faster decision-making, improved processes and more value creation at Audi.”

Audi employs around 54,000 people in Germany. In 2019, management and the works council agreed on a “socially responsible reduction of up to 9,500 jobs along the demographic curve by 2025.” According to Audi, the programme is largely complete.

An Audi spokeswoman emphasized that the company’s employment guarantee remains in place up to 2029, as confirmed by chief financial officer Jürgen Rittersberger on Tuesday.

However, new hires are to be “handpicked,” with a focus on increasing efficiency and competitiveness.