Overview

• Counting began Friday morning, with results expected late afternoon or early evening after gate and postal ballots.
• More than 10,000 IG Metall members at the Cologne plant were eligible to take part in the factory’s first Urabstimmung.
• The compromise would cut about 2,900 of roughly 11,500 jobs by the end of 2027 and includes relatively high severance and a financial arrangement with Ford’s U.S. parent.
• IG Metall spokesperson David Lüdtke said the union anticipates acceptance of the negotiated result and an end to the industrial action.
• Rejecting the deal would require at least 75% to vote no, a prospect seen as unlikely as Ford faces weak sales of two Cologne-built EVs despite a rise in German market share to about 4.5%.