Strike Shuts Down VW S. Africa Plant

A strike by metal workers in the automotive parts industry has forced a shutdown at Volkswagen AG’s Uitenhage, South Africa, plant, reportedly costing the auto maker output of 500 cars daily.

“The component-industry strike is absolutely unacceptable,” VW South Africa Managing Director David Powels says in a statement. “It has brought our plant in Uitenhage to a standstill. We are unable to fulfill critical export orders to countries in the Asia/Pacific region.”

VW was forced to shut down the operation last Thursday as a result of the strike that began Sept. 12. Workers reportedly are demanding a 9% pay hike over three years, while employers are offering 8.5%.