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VW closes gym – employees are shocked!
Wolfsburg is facing challenges: VW is closing its gym and planning massive job cuts. Current developments and reactions.
VW closes gym – employees are shocked!
The political uncertainties and the current economic turbulence are causing noticeable unrest among Volkswagen employees. The rumor about the closure of the company's own fitness studio in Wolfsburg has now taken on concrete form. How news38.de Reportedly, the gym on Südstrasse was closed on May 28th. There were notices outside the doors informing employees that the decision was made “with a heavy heart.”
This is just part of a larger restructuring plan within the group. Volkswagen has not only started closing the gym, but is also planning far-reaching changes in personnel. According to an article by fr.de A drastic savings plan could affect up to 30,000 employees. The termination of existing contracts with the works council and the union shows how serious the situation is.
Future challenges
The rumors about possible closures of the plants are numerous. According to reports, the plants in Emden and Osnabrück in particular should be on the hit list. Emden has 8,000 employees and suffers from low demand, while the factory in Osnabrück with 2,800 employees is not considered profitable. Political factors could also influence the closure in Emden, as Lower Saxony has a 20% stake in Volkswagen.
Volkswagen may also be planning to close a components plant in Kassel with 16,000 employees. The plant in Chemnitz, on the other hand, which is considered lucrative, is not on the deleted list. For Zwickau, the largest VW plant in Saxony with 10,000 employees, the chances of closure are also slim.
Staff cuts in numbers
Another aspect that should not be overlooked is the massive scale of the planned workforce reductions. Loud deraktionaer.de In December 2023, Volkswagen, the works council and IG Metall agreed on job cuts at the core VW brand, which could include up to 35,000 employees by 2030. More than 20,000 departures have already been contractually agreed, although this process should take place without any operational dismissals - through partial retirement and severance payments for voluntary leavers.
Company management emphasizes the need for these measures to reduce costs and enable future investments. Reference is also made to the weak demand for electric cars and growing competition from China, which are putting Volkswagen under pressure.
In the coming weeks, the detailed presentation of a new concept for the sports offering is expected, which will take place in Hall 42. It remains to be seen whether this offering will enjoy the same popularity as the old gym. The future looks turbulent for Volkswagen, and the next few months will be crucial.