BERLIN (Reuters) -Workers at Volkswagen could go out on strike across Germany as soon as next week, the IG Metall union said in a notice on Friday, as a clash between labour and management over layoffs and plant closures escalates.

Workers at Volkswagen could go out on strike across Germany as soon as next week, the IG Metall union said in a notice on Friday, as a clash between labour and management over layoffs and plant closures escalates.

Volkswagen, under pressure from high costs and Chinese competition, rejected union proposals for cost savings on Friday, just days ahead of planned walkouts meant to avoid unprecedented plant closures.

IG Metall said its members would down tools for a few hours a day after the auto giant and union leaders failed to agree on how to cut costs amid a slow electric-vehicle market and fierce competition.

Volkswagen workers across Germany are ready to strike from early December, the IG Metall union said in a pamphlet circulated on Friday. "Volkswagen will determine at the negotiating table how long and how hard the conflict will be - the VW workforce throughout the country is ready to strike,

Volkswagen AG (ETR:VOWG) workers across Germany could stage strikes as early as next week, as tensions between the automaker and labor union IG Metall intensify over planned layoffs and plant closures.

Volkswagen workers are set to strike in Germany in early December and union IG Metall said in a circulated pamphlet that it is "necessary". View on euronews