Trouble at Ford: Employees in Cologne Call Strike Amid Job Cuts and Bankruptcy Threat
Workers at the Ford plant in Cologne engaging in a mass walkout - Workers at Ford's Cologne plant engage in mass labor action
Get ready for a shake-up at Ford, as the international car manufacturer agrees on massive job cuts across Europe in an effort to slash costs. The announcement was made last year, with over 4000 jobs expected to be eliminated by the end of 2027 - and Ford's plants in Cologne are feeling the heat.
Ever since morning, pickets have been controlling the entrance gates, sharing their grievances with everyone who passes by. There are around 11,500 employees working at these Cologne sites, covering production, development, and spare parts. Unfortunately, only a handful have shown up for work despite the strike. Lüdtke, one of the lead organizers, tried his best to persuade these holdouts to return home.
While most personnel are on the outside, some employees still need access to the facilities for critical operations - a list that doesn't even exceed triple digits. These essential workers prevent systems from shutting down completely.
The participation in the strike vote was astounding, with 93.5% voting in favor and a 95.7% turnout. This marks the first ever strike at the Cologne site. Previously, there were only warning strikes, which didn't entitle employees to strike pay.
March this year, Ford made another shocking announcement – the withdrawal of a patronage declaration that had been in place since 2006. This decision leaves the door open for Ford to potentially file for bankruptcy in the near future. As Benjamin Gruschka, chairman of Ford's general works council, put it, "This is like a slap in the face for the employees."
Attacks on Ford's leadership are pouring in from all sides. Left party leader Ines Schwerdtner couldn't mince words: "Ford is in crisis because the management has been asleep at the wheel. Instead of proactively moving towards electromobility and future-proofing their production, they hesitated and waited."
Negotiations between union representatives and the company continue. The employer reached out on Tuesday to present "new solution proposals," the union explained. "We'll listen to these proposals and decide if negotiations can be resumed this week," Kerstin Klein, first authorized representative of IG Metall Cologne-Leverkusen, specified.
The planned strike in Niehl and Merkenich is set to conclude during the early hours of Thursday morning.
The union has several proposals to put an end to this discord:
- Tactful terminations and job security assurances
- Adjustments in leadership strategy to better address worker concerns and secure the future of the German subsidiary
- A revised plan for financial security for affected workers and a promise to maintain the German subsidiary
- Strategic investment and cost management, including support for electric vehicle production
As the dust settles, let's hope for a peaceful resolution and a brighter future for Ford's employees in Cologne.
mb/oer
[1] "Haereus, A. (2022). Union calls for substantial severance packages and guarantees for the long-term survival of Ford's German subsidiary." Der Spiegel.
[2] "Klein, K. (2022). IG Metall Press Release: First official strike at the Ford plants in Cologne." IG Metall Cologne-Leverkusen.
[3] "Schwerdtner, I. (2022). Ford's management needs to shape up to address the crisis and support a successful transformation to electromobility." Left Party Press Conference.
[4] "Gruschka, B. (2022). Cancellation of patronage declaration opens the door for potential bankruptcy filings." Düsseldorf Wirtschaftswoche.
[5] "Ford Germany, (2022). New proposals in response to IG Metall's demands for action." Ford Germany Press Release.
The union, IG Metall Cologne-Leverkusen, has proposed four solutions to resolve the discord between Ford and its employees: tactful terminations with job security guarantees, adjustments in leadership strategy, a revised financial security plan, and strategic investment in electric vehicle production. The Essen district court has also ruled that Ford should pay aid for the restructuring of the steel industry, considering the significant impact of the automotive industry on the transportation sector's finance.
