On Monday 16 November in an interview with the Stuttgarter Zeitung publication, Uwe Hück, president of Porsche’s central WC indicated that in discussions with Porsche management he had obtained the right to review employment decisions when tasks are being outsourced, especially as concerns services contracts (Werkverträge). These services contracts are widely used in Germany as a way of reducing wage costs and are a thorn in the side of the country’s unions. Thus this announcement marks a departure as well as a small victory for the unions. The agreement intends for a mediation group to manage any disagreements that arise. However the WC did not obtain any legal guarantee to help them impose their opinions. Volkswagen has indicated it may follow suit in some manner. However, Daimler and BMW do not appear ready to adopt such measures.
Provisions of a first ever agreement in Germany. Management of Porsche’s central WC (Konzernbetriebsrat) agreed over the issue of monitoring employment within the context of service provision contracts. Uwe Hück, president of the WC, vice president of Porsche’s supervisory board, and member of IG Metall, indicated that during the course of negotiations with both the former and current presidents of the company (Matthias Müller and Olivier Blume, respectively) that he had obtained the right for
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