Ford Cologne: Crisis Point

Facing a potential workforce reduction at Ford's Cologne plant, the article highlights a deep distrust among workers towards the Works Council and the IG Metall union. The core argument is that these bodies, traditionally meant to represent worker interests, are failing to adequately defend jobs against corporate restructuring and cost-cutting measures. The article draws a parallel to the closure of Ford's Saarlouis plant, where 9,000 jobs were lost despite the union's involvement. This recent history fuels skepticism that the Works Council and IG Metall will effectively protect jobs in Cologne. The author suggests that the union prioritizes collaboration with management and maintaining stability within the company, even at the expense of worker security. The piece implies that workers believe the union is more concerned with preserving its own influence and maintaining a working relationship with Ford than with aggressively advocating for job retention. It points to past failures as evidence of this alleged prioritization. This perceived lack of commitment to job security erodes trust and leads workers to question the effectiveness of the Works Council and IG Metall as their advocates. find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/03/13/rwfx-m13.html