Krise in der Auto-Industrie: IG Metall ruft Automobil-Beschäftigte bundesweit zum Protest

The German automotive industry finds itself in a crisis, facing overcapacity, job cuts, and increased competition from China. Entire car factories with thousands of jobs are facing an uncertain future, and established achievements like the 35-hour workweek are being called into question. On Monday, the IG Metall union called for nationwide protests, with more than 280 actions planned across all federal states.

In place of "closures," the union's motto reads: "Future instead of closures - unity is our strongest brand." It is expected that more than 100,000 people will participate in various actions at over 200 locations, including internal company meetings, active lunch breaks, banner marches, and public demonstrations. The union is particularly critical of the impact on employees, stating that it represents an "unprecedented attack on employees in the automotive industry."

IG Metall President Christiane Benner emphasized that the situation must change, warning against further cuts to the 35-hour workweek. The union also demands that companies invest more in German locations, particularly in areas such as battery production, autonomous driving, and modern production facilities. Additionally, the union calls for more volume-oriented models to ensure better utilization of factory resources.

The slogan of the union is "Investments in locations, not handouts to shareholders!" The union also points the finger at politics, urging for lower electricity costs, reduced bureaucracy, and the expansion of tariffs on cars from China, as well as financial support for suppliers undergoing restructuring.