VW México, SITIAVW Seal 2026 Labor Deal for Puebla Plant

Volkswagen de México and the Sindicato Independiente de Trabajadores de la Industria Automotriz Volkswagen (SITIAVW) have reached an agreement on the 2026 labor calendar for the automaker’s Puebla plant, after weeks of negotiations, ending a period of uncertainty that had forced the facility to operate under shortened workdays. The agreement comes as the company prepares for the return of the Volkswagen Golf to production in Mexico beginning in 2027, a move the company describes as a milestone for its manufacturing operations in North America.

The union confirmed the agreement in an internal communication to workers, stating that the printed version of the 2026 labor calendar will be distributed in approximately 21 days, with an estimated delivery date of March 27. The calendar defines work shifts, rest days, potential technical stoppages, and the payment modalities applicable to each type of working day.

The Puebla facility employs around 7,000 workers and currently manufactures models including the Volkswagen Jetta, Volkswagen Taos, and Volkswagen Tiguan. The plant is one of the largest automotive manufacturing complexes operated by the Volkswagen Group in North America.

The labor calendar agreement followed an extended negotiation process between the company and the union. In previous years, the calendar had typically been finalized between November and December of the preceding year, allowing both sides to plan production schedules and workforce activities ahead of the new operational cycle.

In the 2026 cycle, however, the process extended more than two months into the new year. On Feb. 20, the union informed workers that no agreement had yet been reached and that employees would temporarily operate under a shortened work schedule while negotiations continued.

During that period, production shifts were adjusted to reduced working hours. According to information distributed to employees, the first shift operated from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the second from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and the third from 10:00 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. the following day.

The union’s executive committee said the new agreement establishes a framework for the remainder of the year and provides clarity regarding operational schedules and compensation arrangements. The labor calendar is considered a key operational planning tool for both the workforce and the manufacturer.

The union also requested that employees direct any questions regarding the 2026 calendar to their union representatives, including delegates, divisional assistant secretaries, and statutory committees, so that concerns can be formally reviewed and addressed.

Operational Adjustments

In addition to defining working days and potential production stoppages, the agreement includes adjustments to transportation schedules for certain shifts. According to the union’s communication, transportation services for the second shift will depart one hour earlier than their usual time, while transportation for the third shift will depart one hour and thirty minutes earlier.

Once the printed version of the calendar is distributed to workers, both the union and the company will operate under a shared planning framework for the remainder of the year.

Production Context

The agreement occurs at a time when the Puebla plant is preparing for a major manufacturing transition: the return of the Volkswagen Golf to the facility’s assembly lines.

Volkswagen previously produced the model in Puebla for several decades before discontinuing local production in 2021 and transferring manufacturing to Germany. Over a 47-year period, the Puebla facility assembled more than 2 million Golf units, including several GTI versions.

The company confirmed that production of the model will return to the plant beginning in 2027.

“Preparing our Puebla plant for a successful start of Golf production is a privilege for everyone who is part of this great team at Volkswagen de México. We once again have an icon of the brand on our lines and we will make its return a great success story. Operational excellence has been and will continue to be the common denominator as we prepare for this launch,” said Holger Nestler, president and CEO, Volkswagen.

The automaker said preparations for the model’s return involve infrastructure adaptations, new equipment and technological upgrades, which could create opportunities for suppliers and other companies in the regional automotive cluster.

Volkswagen noted that these adjustments contribute to “the specialization of suppliers and the strengthening of the automotive cluster in the region,” while engineering and technology upgrades can foster knowledge transfer and reinforce the state’s position as an advanced manufacturing hub.

Investments in Puebla

The preparations for the Golf also build on a series of recent investment announcements at the Puebla plant.

In February 2024, Volkswagen announced an investment of US$942 million aimed at creating a strategic mobility center at the site. That investment followed a previous announcement in 2022 of US$763 million for the construction of a new paint shop and expanded manufacturing capacity.

The company described these investments as part of a broader strategy to modernize the facility and maintain its role within the global production network of the Volkswagen Group.