Volkswagen Begins Push for Mass Layoffs in Puebla

ByMexico Solidarity

This article by Guillermo Gutiérrez Hernández originally appeared in the September 4, 2025 edition of Diario Cambio. We are republishing this in light of recent and ongoing discussions about labour relations at the Volkswagen plant and its future, after an August salary review between Volkswagen and SIATVW lead to a 4% wage increase, despite an initial demand of 14%.

After threatening to lay off 1,000 workers, Volkswagen announced a five-day long weekend exclusively for workers at Plant 84, which, according to statements provided to this outlet anonymously, amounts to more of a technical lockout. At the same time, they were informed that, starting in October, they would begin working in phases as part of preparations for the mass layoffs .

In a conversation with Diario CAMBIO, the workers requested anonymity for fear of retaliation, however, they assured that the information comes from their direct superiors.

They indicated that the only long weekend they had planned was September 15 and 16, as part of the national holidays, however, they were told that it would be extended until the 19th due to “technical reasons.”

The concern and uncertainty that the workers say they feel also comes from the fact that they were informed that, starting in October, there would be staggered work days between the first and second shifts.

It is important to clarify that this information was circulated internally , so the position of the Independent Union of Volkswagen Automotive Industry Workers (SITIAVW), headed by Hugo Tlalpan, is still unknown.

SITIAVW union head, Hugo Tlalpan.

And on August 20, after the salary review in which SITIAVW only obtained a 4 percent increase, Tlalpan declared that they would not allow the thousand workers to be left unemployed.

In an interview with the radio program Al tiempo noticias, the leader stated that these events came to light during salary negotiations and described the mention as a “threat.”

“I’m announcing that production is declining and 50,000 units will be discontinued. What does this mean? One shift would be reduced, and we’re talking about 1,093 people who would be out of work,” Tlalpan Luna explained at the time.