From IG Metall’s point of view, an end to the leadership dispute at Volkswagen is by no means certain. After the reorganization of the executive board decided a week ago, it now depends on how CEO Herbert Diess does his job, said union chairman Jörg Hofmann of the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” (Saturday). “This is one last attempt at cooperation,” said Hofmann.
Frankfurt / Main – “We do this in the hope that his erratic outbursts will come to an end.” If not, the topic will have to be faced anew. “I have no illusions about that.”
The conflict had sparked, among other things, alleged statements by Diess about a possible extensive downsizing. The works council had sharply criticized this. After several weeks of power struggle with parts of the supervisory board, the supervisory body decided on December 9th that Diess would retain his office. In addition, however, the head of the Volkswagen core brand, Ralf Brandstätter, will be promoted to the Board of Management in the new year. In the future, Diess himself will mainly deal with strategic issues in the largest European car group.
Hofmann, who is the deputy chairman of the VW supervisory board, said: “If Herbert Diess wants to develop the company forwards as chairman of the board, he has to prove himself there.” The past cannot be erased. Nevertheless, it is now the right solution for VW, “that we as employees could avoid a basic conflict with the shareholders and continue with Mr. Diess for the time being”.
Its strategic competence is undisputed, but that alone is not enough for a CEO, said Hofmann. “As I see it, this also includes the ability to inspire the team. You don’t do that via Twitter or LinkedIn, but through good and binding communication. ”Dpa
