Tension at Ford's Cologne Plant: Union Vows Indefinite Strike
Workers at Ford's Cologne facility are gearing up for an indefinite labor action - Ford employees in Cologne prepare for an ongoing work stoppage
Ready to rumble! The labor scene at Ford's Cologne plant is heating up. According to IG Metall, a whopping 93.5% of union members voted in favor of using "all union measures, including strikes," to push for better working conditions in a new social agreement.
With an overwhelming 95.7% turnout, it's clear the employees are steaming mad. David Luedtke, IG Metall spokesperson at Ford Cologne, ain't mincing words, "The workers stand behind us." Now, the union's brewing up something hot—strikes could kick off as soon as next week, but the amplitude's yet to be determined.
Warning strikes at the site happened in March and April, but this time, they're promising to be more explosive.
IG Metall: We Sacrifice Profit for Workers' Rights!
Kerstin Klein, first chairwoman of IG Metall Cologne-Leverkusen, is all fired up about the ballot result. "We're hell-bent on enacting this mandate from our co-workers," she says. "Ford better shape up, or else!" The union's threatening some serious damage: a labor dispute could cripple Ford's commercial vehicle business in Europe and leave a nasty aftertaste for the brand.
Strikes at Ford Cologne: A First?
Apparently, this would be the first time strikes are in the cards at Ford Cologne. In the past, compromises were reached between employer and union after ballots. Ford keeps a workforce of around 11,500 in the city, most of whom are union members.
Electric Ford Investments Lagging
Ford's German subsidiary manufactures two electric car models in Cologne, but those electric dreams are yet to pay off. A €1.9 billion investment to revamp the plant for electric vehicle production hasn't sparked the sales they needed to make a profit. The German division remains in the red.
To trim costs, management in Cologne wants to slash 2,900 jobs by 2027. However, the works council's contract, signed two years ago, means dismissals for operational reasons are off the table until 2032.
Ver.di's demanding hooky severance pay for workers leaving or transitioning to third-party service providers and financial cushioning for remaining staff in case Ford declared bankruptcy—a possibility not so far-fetched after its US parent company pulled the guarantee.
With negotiations at a standstill, IG Metall called for a ballot, and voilà—They got the support they needed. The union can now call for strikes—either time-limited or indefinite. Ford's spokesperson responded respectfully to the ballot, promising to continue constructive negotiations. But IG Metall's saying the talks are on hold until Ford puts a more appealing offer on the table.
Ford's Cologne Plant in the Hot Seat
Ford's contemplating a partial sale of its Cologne plant, and while details are sketchy, it could leave employees feeling the heat. The works council's wary of the implications: the sale of plant sections could lead to deteriorating working conditions if employees get scooped up by other companies. Additionally, Ford plans to give 2,900 workers the ax by 2027, at least until the works council signs off on the cuts. A potential sale could cause supply chain disruptions in Europe, affecting not just Ford but also its partners and competitors in the competitive European commercial vehicle market.
- The community policy at Ford's Cologne plant could be significantly impacted by the indefinite strike vowed by IG Metall, as per the employment policy vote.
- The union's determination to push for better working conditions extends beyond the Cologne plant, as they aim to make an example within the automotive industry and finance sector.
- Ford's Cologne plant is not immune to the regulatory scrutiny; the company's employment policies will be closely monitored by government agencies, especially during the strike.
- The transportation sector, which relies heavily on Ford's commercial vehicle business in Europe, could face potential disruptions due to the ongoing labor dispute.
- In the pursuit of electric vehicle production, Ford's Cologne plant investments have yet to yield significant profits in the highly competitive automotive industry, putting more emphasis on the need for favorable employee policies to retain talent and maintain productivity.
