Krise in der Auto-Industrie: IG Metall ruft zu Protest gegen Einschnitte in Autobranche

The IG Metall union is calling for protests against cuts in the automotive industry on September 21 across more than 200 locations in Germany. Chief executive Christiane Benner emphasized that workers are bearing the brunt of the industry crisis. "We are witnessing an unprecedented attack on employees in the automotive industry," she stated.

Specifically, the issue revolves around the 35-hour workweek, which would require employees to work an additional five hours per week without pay, according to Jens Schäfer, the operations council chief of ZF in Hannover. This would not only lead to additional work but also result in job losses, Schäfer warned.

Benner called for a call to action for management and politics, stating that workers have already sacrificed billions of euros in wages and tariff agreement reductions. However, they are told that this is not enough, even as companies continue to pay dividends and management faces no consequences for past errors. The union plans to mobilize over 100,000 people on Monday with various actions such as internal company meetings, active lunch breaks, solidarity marches, and public demonstrations.

The focus will be on both the situation at major car manufacturers and in the supply chain, with a special emphasis on Volkswagen and its sites in Zwickau, Emden, Hannover, and Neckarsulm.

Benner highlighted that the IG Metall is fighting for the future of these four plants. On the planned day, a large demonstration is expected in the main market of Zwickau, where thousands of people from regional enterprises are anticipated. Benner herself plans to be present at actions in Wolfsburg and Hannover. The union is demanding more investment in German sites, particularly in areas like battery production, autonomous driving, and the modernization of production facilities.

The union also calls for larger models to better utilize factories. Meanwhile, the IG Metall's second vice president, Jürgen Kerner, stressed the need for the government to ensure competitive industrial electricity prices and extend customs duties to Chinese electric cars, including plug-in hybrids.