Workers of the German auto manufacturer Volkswagen Group are collectively organized and represented by unions and Works Councils across the globe. Workers are organized on multiple levels; locally, regionally, nationally, internationally and by marque.
Within Germany, the role of the union IG Metall and Works Councils at Volkswagen is unique, even compared with other large auto firms.
Volkswagen workers have some of the strongest organized labour power at any company in the world. These powers are codified in different collective agreements internationally. In Germany collective agreements cover 120,000 workers, almost the entire workforce.
Workers at all of its major locations are represented in the Global Works Council and local union bodies. VW Group has a tradition and practice of social partnership and co-determination rights between management and workers beyond the regulated standards.[1]: 3
- ^ Whittall, Michael; Lucio, Miguel Martínez; Mustchin, Stephen; Telljohann, Volker; Sánchez, Fernando Rocha (20 March 2017). "Workplace trade union engagement with European Works Councils and transnational agreements: the case of Volkswagen Europe". European Journal of Industrial Relations. 23 (4): 397–414. doi:10.1177/1721727X17699444. S2CID 157228411.