Workers at US carmaker Ford's plants in the western German city of Cologne started their first ever strike on Wednesday, as union IG Metall pushes back against planned job cuts, reported dpa.
Pickets were set up at factory gates in the early morning, where strikers could receive codes to claim strike pay online.
IG Metall spokesman David Lüdtke said work had stopped completely, with the walkout affecting the entire location — including production, development and administration.
Only essential staff were being allowed access through a dedicated gate. If someone insisted on breaking the strike, they would be allowed in — "but we'll talk to them first," Lüdtke said.
The strike at the two plants, which were founded in 1930, is scheduled to end on Thursday morning after the final night shifts and aims to increase pressure on management to reconsider cost-cutting plans.
Management is looking to cut 2,900 jobs by the end of 2027 at the Cologne site, which also includes Ford's European headquarters and employs a total of 11,500 people — already far fewer than the 20,000 who worked there in 2018.
IG Metall, one of Germany's most powerful unions that represents workers across different manufacturing sectors, is advocating for a collective agreement that provides for high severance payments and financial security for the workforce.
Ford currently produces two electric cars in Cologne, sales of which have fallen well short of expectations, despite investments amounting to almost €2 billion.
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
