Audi and IG Metall Union Showing Signs of Possible Conflict

Referring to IG Metall Union's recent negotiations with the management team of Audi, the IG Metall Union has recently suggested that possible industrial action may be brought against Audi, a subsidiary of Volkswagen. This would be the first occurrence in 40 years.

According to IG Metall Union spokesmen, Audi has recently asked workers for cutbacks that would roughly equal the terms agreed recently by VW workers. Union spokesmen added that Audi couldn't justify such measures based on Audi's own commercial prospects. If a conflict is formalized then an agreement on current Audi wage negotiations may not be reached until mid-2005, Union spokesmen added.