Opposition from automobile manufacturers - "It's necessitated that we take action" - demonstration against job reductions at ZF
In a nationwide demonstration, employees from automotive supplier ZF protested against the company's proposed job cuts. ZF's labor union chairman, Achim Dietrich, estimates that over 20,000 individuals joined in. Thousands of employees even hit the streets at ZF's headquarter in Friedrichshafen alone. Dietrich expressed his thoughts after a rally near Lake Constance, stating, "Today was unprecedented, I've never witnessed anything like it." The labor union chairman urged for the cancellation of the job cuts and an increase in investments in German sites.
ZF declared at the end of July its intentions to eliminate up to 14,000 jobs in Germany over the subsequent four years. For this purpose, the company owned by foundations plans to establish multiple site bundles with more streamlined structures.
At present, approximately 54,000 people are employed by one of the largest automotive suppliers in the country. The exact impact of these cuts on the 35 German sites will be "determined in the coming weeks," the board stated at the time. The company has been grappling with substantial debts and investment pressures for some time now.
The job cuts will not exclusively impact production. Positions in administration and research and development are also under threat. "We're fighting to save every job because there are livelihoods and purchasing power associated with it," Dietrich emphasized, also involved in the upcoming wage negotiations in the metal and electrical industry. "Of course, we can't guarantee success. But after today, with thousands of people on the streets, I'm extremely optimistic that we can achieve something."
It's a tough time for the automotive industry
The German auto market is currently facing challenges. The sale of new cars dropped significantly in August compared to the previous year. This is mainly due to the weak demand for electric vehicles, as data from the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) shows. Yet, numbers also dropped drastically for nearly all other drive types. The industry is also monitoring the Volkswagen Group closely, where plant closures and layoffs are a real possibility.
"We at ZF cannot escape the difficult circumstances in the automotive industry, such as the delayed rollout of electric vehicles and high production costs, particularly at the German site," explained ZF's personnel director and labor director, Lea Corzilius. We must adapt ZF for the future and further develop the German locations to ensure they remain competitively sustainable and stable. "The aim is to retain as many long-term secure jobs as possible."
Management as the target of criticism
However, labor union chairman Dietrich primarily attributes the problems to management mistakes. He believes the management is juggling too many initiatives simultaneously, making the workforce the scapegoat. "Obviously, this does not motivate employees to follow the board." Instead, it leads to production and development standstills on a national scale.**
According to the IG Metall trade union, 3,500 employees participated in the demonstration in Schweinfurt. A car rally was planned for the location in Mannheim, and Minister President Anke Rehlinger (SPD) was expected at a rally in Saarbrücken. "We need to do something or we'll disappear," said a ZF employee in Friedrichshafen. Further demonstrations are not ruled out by the labor union.
The proposed job cuts at ZF, which could affect up to 14,000 individuals, are part of the company's plan to manufacture its operations with more streamlined structures. Despite the tough circumstances in the automotive industry, the labor union chairman, Achim Dietrich, is optimistic about saving jobs and achieving positive outcomes for the demonstrators.
