Volkswagen Workers Strike Amid Mass Layoff Fears

Tens of thousands of Volkswagen workers in Germany began strikes Monday, marking the largest walkouts at its domestic plants since 2018. The strikes follow contentious labor negotiations after Volkswagen declined to rule out plant closures and layoffs amid mounting competition and weakening European demand. A labor union spokesperson called the dispute potentially Volkswagen's toughest yet, with workers at nine of ten German plants participating. Facing a 20% profit drop in the year's first nine months, Volkswagen aims to cut costs, including pay reductions, to remain competitive.