Volkswagen and the IG Metall union are hopeful that they can come to an agreement over wages. Volkswagen says that they will be forced to cut jobs if workers will not agree to a two-year wage freeze, less overtime and programs that would allow new workers to be paid less. Workers, who are demanding wage increases and job guarantees, have staged 'warning strikes' at several German plants.
See "Volkswagen, German Union Resume Wage Talks", The New York Times, October 31, 2004