Overview

• The strike, the first in the nearly 100-year history of Ford's Cologne plant, began early Wednesday and is set to end Thursday morning.
• IG Metall demands a social tariff agreement, including high severance pay and financial protections amid fears of insolvency after Ford's US parent withdrew its debt guarantee.
• Ford plans to cut 2,900 jobs by 2027, nearly a quarter of the workforce, citing financial losses and underperforming electric vehicle sales.
• The strike has completely halted production, development, and administrative work, with plant entrances blockaded except for emergency access.
• Recent talks between management and the union introduced new proposals but failed to reach an agreement, leaving the labor dispute unresolved.