Opel Cutting Production Through the End of the Year

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is cutting production at its Rüsselsheim and Kaiserslautern factories. This includes 50% of the 13,800 Rüsselsheim employees from both manufacturing and administration. Opel and the IG Metall union signed the agreement. The employees will be on a short work schedule and work 20 days a month until the end of 2012. 

“The European car market is declining substantially. Until recently, the decreased production schedules could be compensated by applying corridor shifts and accrued overtime. Now short work is the right bridging measure," said Holger Kimmes, Head of Opel/Vauxhall Personnel.

Opel says that cutting hours will safeguard jobs. The move will allow Opel to pay employees less and safe money. The manufacturing jobs will start short work in September, and administrative positions will begin the short work in October. It will not affect engineering staff.