German metalworkers plan nationwide protests against auto industry job cuts

IG Metall, Germany's leading metalworkers' federation, has urged its members to rally next Monday at more than 200 sites nationwide to contest job cuts and other austerity steps in the automotive sector. Christiane Benner, the union's chair, described one outlet situation as an unprecedented attack on auto-industry employees and called for an end to these measures. A key grievance is the proposal to lengthen the standard work week from 35 to 40 hours without additional wages, a move that ZF board member Jens Schäfer says would drive workers to desperation and could eliminate further jobs.

The union plans a mix of gatherings and marches, with particular emphasis on Volkswagen's latest restructuring plan, which foresees up to 100,000 global positions being eliminated and a reduction in model ranges. Benner said the union will fight to protect factories in Emden, Zwickau, Hannover and Neckarsulm, whose future production programs remain uncertain after current contracts expire between 2031 and 2034. The Czech subsidiary Škoda Auto's spokesperson clarified that the new Volkswagen plan does not directly affect Škoda's operations.