For the first time in nearly 100 years, workers at Ford’s plant in Cologne, Germany, went on strike as IG Metall, the union representing metal and electrical industry employees, staged a walkout on May 14.
Union members gathered at the factory gates with banners demanding better terms, challenging the company’s stringent cost-cutting strategy.
IG Metall is calling for more substantial compensation packages for employees who opt to leave voluntarily, as well as for those whose roles are being outsourced. The union says current plans fall short of providing adequate support to affected workers.
Ford’s German operations have struggled with profitability for some time. The Cologne facility, which employs 11,500 workers and has been a cornerstone of Ford’s European presence for nearly a century, is slated to lose 2,900 jobs by the end of 2027. Although the plant produces two electric vehicle models, their sales have not met expectations.
The strike brought operations at the plant to a halt, impacting production lines, the development division, and administrative offices. The action is scheduled to last 24 hours, concluding with the end of the night shift on the morning of May 15.
