Striking Steel: Ford's German Workers Take a Stand
Employees of Ford in large numbers going on strike in Cologne - Workers at Ford's Cologne facility initiate a walkout, numbering in the thousands.
Ford's European workforce is facing a rough ride, with the American automaker planning drastic job cuts. Last year, Ford announced a staggering 4,000 job losses across Europe by 2027, with a significant chunk happening in Germany. The plants in Cologne, currently hanging in the balance, are taking the brunt of it.
The gates of the Cologne plants have been barricaded since the crack of dawn, David Lüdtke confirms. Approximately 11,500 employees work at these plants, handling production, development, and spare parts. Even amid the strike, some passionate employees tried to make their way to work. However, Lüdtke and his peers were there to convince them otherwise.
Access to the site is still granted to a select few employees on certain nights, says Lüdtke, their mission to operate essential installations that would otherwise break down. This currently impacts a relatively small number, just a 'low three-digit' figure.
The strike wasn't unprecedented, but it's the first time it's happened following a formal vote. A whopping 93.5% of the IG Metall union members backed the strike, with an astonishing 97.5% turnout. This indicates a resolute determination from the employees to safeguard their jobs.
In March of this year, Ford called off a patronage declaration dating back to 2006. This move opens the door for potential insolvency in the years to come, warned Benjamin Gruschka, chairman of the Ford general works council in Düsseldorf. The threat of a short-term insolvency looms.
Ines Schwerdtner, leader of the Left party, slammed Ford for its lethargic response to the industry's transformation. "They slept through the revolution," she says. Instead of adapting promptly to electric vehicles and future-proof production, Ford hestitated and delayed, criticized Schwerdtner.
While the union and the company continue their negotiations, progress remains elusive. On Tuesday, the employer side reached out to IG Metall with new proposals. The union is considering these proposals and might resume discussions this week.
The strike at the Niehl and Merkenich plants is set to finish early on Thursday morning.
- Cologne
- Ford Motor
- Strike
- David Lüdtke
- Strike call
- IG Metall
- Germany
- Electric vehicle demand
- Insolvency
Enrichment Insights:
- The ongoing strike at Ford's Cologne plants is a show of strength by 11,500 workers, with 97.5% of union members participating and 93.5% voting in favor.
- The strike is a reaction to Ford's plan to cut 4,000 jobs across Europe, including 2,900 in Germany. The Cologne plant is particularly affected.
- The strike has been paused to allow time to consider new proposals from the employer side. The union is focused on negotiating a "social contract" to manage job cuts rather than preventing them.
- The slow adoption of electric vehicles and fierce competition from Chinese EV manufacturers, like BYD, are key barriers to Ford's European operations success.
- Ford's plan to cut jobs and slow production at its Cologne EV plant is causing employees to fear for their jobs. Potential insolvency is a concern, given the company's significant debt and ongoing financial losses.
- David Lüdtke and his fellow workers are urging Ford's European workforce to hold their ground, as they are currently fighting for community aid to help restructure the steel industry and avert potential insolvency.
- Amidst the ongoing strike, the focus is not only on saving jobs but also on financing the transformation of the automotive industry, including innovations in transportation and the growing demand for electric vehicles.
