| Skoda Auto is a major subsidiary of Volkswagen and | | | | to reach an agreement by end-March." |
| recipient of quality Volkswagen parts such as VW | | | | On March 19, 2007 the first information meeting will be |
| cold air intakes. The VW cold air intake boosts the | | | | held at the welding plant and will cause the plant to fall |
| vehicles' capacity to provide more power even for | | | | sort by 30 cars according to Povsik. The unions plan |
| long extended drives. The Skoda is also the ugly | | | | to organize a total of sixty meetings before March 22 |
| duckling turned swan brand of Volkswagen. It used to | | | | and that will include meetings even on night shifts. |
| be the laughing stock in the automotive world. But due | | | | Povsik said, "We will explain our demands to people. |
| to the ingenuity and remarkable management of | | | | We see the wage growth that the company |
| Wolfsburg-based automaker, Skoda has turned into | | | | proposes to us is too low, considering its record results. |
| one of its most profitable brands. And presently is one | | | | We also reject the new wage system that the |
| of the cash cows of Volkswagen together with Audi. | | | | company proposes, as it does not guarantee a wage |
| Skoda Auto is presently having problems with its work | | | | growth for all employees." |
| unions and according to union head Jaroslav Povsik in | | | | It was last February 8 when the unions and the |
| an interview with CTK recently they will organize | | | | management first presented their wage proposals. |
| information meetings next week to support their wage | | | | Volkswagen's Skoda Auto proposed a 6.1 percent |
| demands. | | | | wage increase for the period between April 1, 2007 |
| And in the event that no agreement is reached, the | | | | and March 31, 2009. On the other hand, the unions |
| unions are prepared to organize a general meeting | | | | want an increase for only one year covering until |
| with one-hour token strikes in all three shifts, Povsik | | | | March 31, 2008 and want a 17 percent growth on |
| added. Aside from that, the unions is also planning to | | | | average. |
| launch a strike for an indefinite period of time this | | | | Currently the average monthly wage of the car maker |
| coming April. There were already four rounds of | | | | excluding managers' wages is between Kc22,000 and |
| bargaining agreements that have already taken place | | | | Kc27,000. The average monthly wage in the Czech |
| at the Skoda Auto but unfortunately with no positive | | | | Republic stands at around Kc20,000. The workforce |
| results. Both parties have agreed to set their deadline | | | | at Skoda Auto has increased by 700 to 26,728 for the |
| on March 31 to finalize their agreement regarding the | | | | next two years. |
| current wage contract that will expire on that date. | | | | Last year Skoda Auto has obtained an increase in |
| Martin Jahn, Skoda HR director in an interview with | | | | sales by 11.7 percent to 550,000 cars. Its recorded net |
| CTK said, "We are halfway through the talks, there is | | | | profit increased by 40 percent to Kc11.06bn. |
| absolutely no reason for protest meetings. Our goal is | | | | |