A strike has crippled VW's Zwikau plant in former East Germany. The 11,400 workers are fighting for an hours cut to bring them in line with their counterparts in West German plants.

The IG Metall union's campaign for a cut from 38 to 35 hours was supported yesterday by 2500 workers demonstrating in the town – 120 miles south of Berlin – wearing red vest and caps with slogans such as 'The time has come'.

The strike has halted a daily output of around1100 vehicles.