According to unions, this year the carmaker Škoda Auto wants to reduce the number of employees by five percent by 2023, ie by about 3,000 people. For example, the recruitment of indirect personnel has stopped, especially outside the production area. This was stated today by the weekly Škodovácký odborář. The unions do not agree with reducing the number of employees and want to reduce the 5% reduction in staff to a minimum. We find out the company’s statement. Škoda Auto employs almost 39,000 people, of which about 34,000 in the Czech Republic. These are regular employees, in addition to them, agency workers also work in the car factory.
“The trade union criticizes this procedure, because it is necessary not only to provide information, but to discuss the whole project. The KOVO unions also disagree with the ration number.
According to the unions, the company’s management would jeopardize Škoda projects by reducing the number of employees. “It is very clear that if the operation continues, we will create a solidarity project where direct workers reject various working time models, such as the 17 (shift) and 18-shift system or other forms of flexible work, including mass overtime,” the unions said.
Operation in Škoda, meanwhile, is complicated by a coronavirus pandemic. There has already been a base on the production lines. “The company has found a solution by forcing agency workers to continue on their morning shift after night to replace missing workers. We note that this is the worst human health hazard,” the unions added.
According to the unions, agency workers have to wait after the night shift until it is determined how many people did not show up for work, and then they are sent to the next shift as needed. The unions criticize this. “It is indecent not only within the Škoda company, but also the entire Volkswagen Group to abuse the defenselessness of workers dependent on this precarious form of employment and livelihood in this way,” said the Škoda trade unionist.
Last year, Škoda Auto delivered over one million cars worldwide. It operates three production plants in the Czech Republic, produces in China, Russia, Slovakia and India, mostly through group partnerships, as well as in Ukraine and Kazakhstan in cooperation with local partners. It is active in more than 100 markets.
Source: CTK and Škodovácký odborář
