Corona as a reason
Infidelity-process against the VW personnel Manager will be moved
The headquarters of the Volkswagen AG in Wolfsburg. Photo: Hauke-Christian Dittrich/dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
The wire between the works Council and the Management of VW is traditionally tight. Too tight? Prosecutors saw unjustifiably high remuneration and accused heads of personnel. The criminal process must wait.
The embezzlement case against three former and one current staff Manager of the VW group, at the regional court of Braunschweig had to be postponed.
The originally from the 19th century. Scheduled for November, to criminal proceedings because of alleged excessive remuneration of members of works councils could begin due to the risks of Infection and increased contact restrictions in the Corona-crisis until a later date, it said on Wednesday from the court.
This was decided by the competent chamber, the process involved had been adequately informed. Several participants would have to come from far in Braunschweig, stay, also, some persons belong to the risk group. “In the consideration of the health protection prevails in this case.” A replacement date has not yet been determined, the Start is likely to drag on into the new year.
The Braunschweig judges want to check whether the Manager approved years of excessive salaries to senior councils. According to the indictment, the VW suffered a damage of more than five million euros. Indirectly at least, the suspicion resonates in addition, you have to secure the welfare of the workers want to.
The planned process but also touches more fundamental issues – such as the question of whether there is any binding guidelines for the classification of salaries, high staff representatives. The prosecution argued that the four heads of personnel have boards of five powerful operation – including the group works Council chief Bernd Osterloh – between may 2011 and may 2016 to pay off exuberant fees, and bonuses. The defenders rejected this allegation.
Also in the top Management positions, many of the members of the works Council at Volkswagen. With regard to the definition of the allegedly excessive compensation, the legal situation, however, complicated – and equally controversial. The prosecution has complained of a “work-unlawful application of tariff classification and pay”. However, even some of the group’s critical voices point to the fact that, above all, a Reform of the works Constitution act from 1972 is urgently needed to develop reliable Standards.
Central Problem: On what level how much is earned may be, is not yet regulated clearly. Formally, works councils receive exemption for their “voluntary work” a salary that according to the law, the “wages of comparable workers with normal professional development” should correspond. As a hypothetical Consideration will be given based on what is the salary of a high Council or a high member of the works Council after many years, would be entitled, if he or she would today have to meet similar responsibilities in Management. Ironclad comparison corridors there are, however, individual decisions are required.
