Strike in Cologne as unions highlight manufacturing threat

Last month, for the first time in almost 100 years of its existence, the Ford body and assembly plant in Cologne came to a complete halt as IG Metall, Germany’s biggest union, brought its members out on strike.

They were protesting against the company’s plan to cut 2,900 of the plant’s 11,500 workforce by 2027. The union wants the company to change course and find solutions other than job cuts. Following the strike, Ford management appeared willing to engage in discussions.

With manufacturing jobs threatened across Europe — including the closure of Stellantis’ motor manufacturing plant in Termoli, Italy with the loss of 450 jobs — unions are calling for more than piecemeal solutions.

Esther Lynch, general secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, stated that this was “a crisis that requires European action but so far the European Commission has failed to take measures that match the urgency of the situation”.

She added that what is needed now is “a European industrial plan to protect and create new quality jobs by investing in our industries”.