The amazing thing about the Volkswagen scandal is the total silence of the German union. Or, better yet, the total absence of any dialectical ripple, to use a euphemistic expression, in the face of the progressive deterioration of the problem in Wolfsburg.

(…)“The German union is paralyzed,” said Bruno Manghi, a historic, authoritative commentator on Italian unions and one of the leading experts in the dynamics between plant, society and politics. Most likely, there’s a widespread fear of losing jobs.

(…)“I don’t know up close the structure of Mitbestimmung at Volkswagen,” said Gian Enrico Rusconi, a historian and leading expert on German politics, “But its astounding that the union leaders weren’t aware of anything.

(…)“Following the news of what’s happening,” said Rusconi, “what’s striking is the insistence with which, inside Volkswagen, they are trying to limit taking responsibility, putting the blame on a small group of people, ‘technicians.’ If that’s what they’re doing it’s a pretty miserable attempt.”

(P. Bricco, www.ilsole24ore.c0m, 01.10.2015)

Follow