"Site closures and compulsory redundancies must be prevented at all costs! The dismantling of the social partnership also means "dismantling democracy"! Everything is truly at stake now," said the council.

The resolution continues (opens in a new tab): "The actions of the Board of Management are inconceivable. With a company like VW, one could and should have expected talks to be held first before facts are created." The resolution also points out the particular importance of the automotive industry for Lower Saxony and its municipalities.

The automotive industry in Lower Saxony and its suppliers generate enormous industrial added value throughout the state - at municipal level in particular in the form of trade tax revenue - as well as many jobs. Six cities in Lower Saxony (Braunschweig, Emden, Hanover, Osnabrück, Salzgitter and Wolfsburg) have particularly close ties with Volkswagen as local communities.

Against this background, the Salzgitter City Council is calling for the closure of a Volkswagen plant in Lower Saxony to be avoided and for jobs to be preserved. Furthermore, the council appeals to the state of Lower Saxony to exert its influence in the supervisory bodies in this regard. Finally, the city parliament expects a reliable industrial policy from the state and federal government, especially for the automotive industry.

Updated on 29.10.2024, statement by Lord Mayor Frank Klingebiel:

"Currently, the City Council of Salzgitter and I, as well as all political leaders in the other local municipalities and in the state and federal governments, are fighting alongside the trade unions and works councils to preserve all sites in Lower Saxony. The social partners at VW are now in intensive talks to resolve the difficult situation. Against this background, I will not take part in speculation about the effects of possible plant closures, which are also likely to increase the existing fears and concerns of employees and their families. Please refer to the resolutions passed by the NST Executive Committee on 5.09.24 (opens in a new tab) and the Salzgitter City Council on 24.09.24."

Other items on the agenda: Ehrenamtskarte, new election of arbitrators, purchase program in Salzgitter-Watenstedt, housing industry round table, overall urban development measures on Kampstraße and Am Schölkegraben, expansion of bus stops

At the end of the meeting, there will be motions and questions from the parliamentary groups. The current and detailed agenda can be viewed in the council information system.