Crisis in the Auto Industry: IG Metall Mobilizes Against Drastic Cuts
In response to the crisis in the automotive industry, the IG Metall trade union called for a day of action today. Union leader Benner urged politicians and companies to take action. "Everything is on fire right now."
On its self-proclaimed day of action, IG Metall criticized "inadequate industrial policy framework conditions" for automakers at both the German and European level.
At Volkswagen's main plant in Wolfsburg, IG Metall chairwoman Christiane Benner criticized the boards of Germany's automotive industry and called for greater responsibility toward employees and the location. "Everything is on fire right now," Benner said, according to a statement. She added that the union expects company leadership to take responsibility for Germany as an automotive nation, for its employees, and for their jobs.
From policymakers, Benner demanded reliable conditions for investment, affordable energy, and the promotion of a "Made in EU" approach. She also called for protection against unfair competition, financial assistance for suppliers undergoing restructuring, and the retention of partial early retirement regulations.
Protests Also in Zwickau
The head of IG Metall's Berlin-Brandenburg-Saxony district, Jan Otto, accused the leaders of Germany's automotive industry of serious mistakes. "For years, managers have been asleep at the wheel when it comes to trends in electric mobility, digitalization, and battery technology," he said at a rally outside Volkswagen's engine plant in Chemnitz.
A major rally is also planned in the city center of Zwickau, where IG Metall expects several thousand people to attend. This comes amid uncertainty over the future of Volkswagen's factory there, which employs around 8,000 workers.
IG Metall had called for actions at more than 200 locations across Germany, with more than 100,000 participants expected.
