Enlarge image
Ford production in Cologne: "The situation is shocking for the employees"
Photo:
Oliver Berg / dpa
According to employee representatives, the car manufacturer Ford could face numerous job cuts – on a large scale at the Cologne plant, but also at other locations in Europe.
If the management enforces its previous plan, up to 3,200 of the 14,000 jobs in Cologne could be lost, said the Deputy Works Council President of the Ford works, Katharina von Hebe.
"The situation is devastating for the employees."
IG Metall spokesman Paul Hecker said after a works meeting that, given the figures that the company had presented to the works council, he feared that up to two thirds of the jobs in development would be lost across Europe.
The German locations are particularly badly affected.
According to the union, management justifies the current personnel plans with centralization in the USA, among other things.
Accordingly, the relocation of development activities to the USA is planned.
"Ford is taking the ax on its own future," Hecker said.
He sees "the danger that Ford will develop from a global supplier to a company that is no longer global." The company does not want to comment on speculation about a possible restructuring.
impending strikes
If the management doesn't reconsider their plans and doesn't give a binding commitment for follow-up projects that also include development, "we're definitely ready," said Hecker.
IG Metall will not shy away from measures that could severely affect the company in Germany and Europe.
Ford is in a state of upheaval, the US car company, which has long been focused on combustion engines, only got on the electric course relatively late - and has since invested billions, for example in the conversion of the Cologne plant.
At the Saarlouis site, however, production of the Focus 2025 is ending, and 4,500 jobs are pending.
In a letter to the workforce, Ford Germany boss Martin Sander had only recently promised further employment opportunities in Cologne "in a not inconsiderable number".
Sol/dpa/Reuters