A Brawl Looms: Ford Workers in Cologne Threaten Indefinite Strike
Ford workers at the Cologne facility are ready to stage an indefinite work stoppage - Workers at Ford's Cologne plant prepared for an unlimited work stoppage
That's right, baby! There's a ruckus brewing at Ford's Cologne plant in the old country. Union, IG Metall, has given 'em a boot to the arse if you catch my drift, with an overwhelming 93.5% favoring "union action of all kinds, including strikes"! Fightin' talk, ain't it? This labor dispute's a first for Ford in Cologne, and it's not knockin' on Ronny's door for a sit-down just yet, but watch your backs—strikes could commence as early as next week, and the extent? Well, that's still up in the air like a kite in a hurricane.
David Luedtke, IG Metall's mouthpiece at the Ford Cologne plant, said, "The staff's behind us." But it ain't just words; 95.7% turned out for the vote, and that's a solid majority, eh? Now, Kerstin Klein, the first chairwoman of IG Metall Cologne-Leverkusen, is poised to say to Ford's management, "Move it or lose it." That's right, if Ford doesn't shift gears, the union's promising strikes until victory or that dance is done. Oh, and they ain't bluffin' about harming Ford's commercial vehicle business in Europe. "Not if we can help it," as they like to say over there.
As of May 14, 2025, workers at the plant have taken to the picket lines for a 24-hour strike, set to end with the last night shifts on May 15, 2025. This strike is just the start of what could be a long and costly battle for both Ford and the union. So, buckle up, folks, it's gonna be a bumpy ride!
The Elephant in the Room: Electric Vehicle Sales
Ford's Cologne operation's rollin' out two electric vehicles, but the sales ain't exactly hitting the nail on the head. A whopping €1.9 billion has been sunk into the plant to make it a force to be reckoned with in the electric vehicle market, but, well, as they say, you can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs. The German subsidiary's still in the red, my friend.
To cut costs, Ford's accountants are eyeing a 2,900-employee reduction by the end of 2027. But that ain't so simple. They need the works council's blessing, and thanks to an agreement signed two years ago, they ain't gonna get it easy. Ver.di, the rival union, is hagglin' for high severance payments and financial protection for the employees, just in case Ford goes bankrupt. That's a likely possibility, what with Ford's US parent company withdrawin' its guarantee.
As negotiations for a new agreement reached an impasse, IG Metall called for a vote, and voila! Theunion got its backing. Now, they can call for strikes—either limited in time or indefinite! A Ford spokesperson acknowledged the company's respect for the workers' right to strike but said they'll keep on truckin' with constructive negotiations. But it's to be seen if that's enough to make the union back off, as IG Metall's now suspended negotiations until Ford lays an offer on the table.
So, there ya have it. The Ford Cologne plant's in for a storm, and it ain't gonna be a walk in the park for either the company or the unions. They say with great power comes great responsibility, but I reckon that patron saint of the car industry forgot to mention something about great conflict as well. Damn shame about the electric vehicle sales, though. No amount of negotiation or striking can change the laws of supply and demand. And with Chinese EV makers like BYD on the rise, it's gonna be a tough fight for ol' Ford!
The community and employment policies of the automotive industry, particularly in the finance and transportation sectors, will likely be impacted by the ongoing labor dispute at Ford's Cologne plant. The union, IG Metall, is threatening an indefinite strike due to disagreements over employment policies, with a potential 2,900 employee reduction looming by the end of 2027. The union's focus on high severance payments and financial protection for employees reflects industry-wide concerns about job security in the electric vehicle market, where sales have fallen short of expectations despite heavy investments.
