Volkswagen chief executive Oliver Blume will personally address staff at works assemblies in Wolfsburg, Zwickau and Emden on 25 and 26 August, the company confirmed, after he faced a July 10 deadline from the works council to speak directly to employees. Brand chief Thomas Schäfer will accompany Blume to the gatherings at sites that are among four factories facing potential closure alongside Hannover and Audi's Neckarsulm plant.
The appearances come amid deepening labour unrest over restructuring plans that the works council says could threaten as many as 140,000 positions, far exceeding the 50,000 job cuts Blume has announced. IG Metall leader Christiane Benner has warned the board of a "hot autumn" and further protests if agreements are not reached.
Financial markets have reflected the turmoil: Volkswagen's share price has halved since Blume took office in September 2022. Internal benchmarks show the group's overhead costs remain 20 percent above those of comparable automakers, while the core Volkswagen brand is reportedly being considered for separation from the wider group.