Disgruntled Ford workers voice frustration over enacted bankruptcy rules - Ford employees expressing discontent over the implementation of new bankruptcy regulations
In the heart of Germany's industrial landscape, the Ford plant in Saarlouis continues to produce 350 vehicles daily, with a workforce of 2700, a number significantly lower than its peak of 4500. Amidst these changing circumstances, the employees are grappling with concerns about their job security, particularly in the event of the company's possible insolvency.
While the specific implications of a potential Saarlouis Ford insolvency are yet to be fully understood, general German insolvency principles offer some insights. Employees can expect temporary protective measures, such as the "Schutzschirmverfahren," designed to preserve the enterprise's operations and safeguard employee rights during restructuring.
In the event of layoffs, severance payments are typically prioritized as insolvency claims, covering wages and severance due within a given time frame before insolvency filing. Company pensions are also protected by the "Pensions-Sicherungs-Verein" or PSV, which safeguards pension benefits if the company can no longer meet its obligations.
However, the precise implications for Saarlouis Ford remain unclear. Ongoing labor tensions have been noted in recent business meetings, but specific details on severance or pension matters have yet to emerge.
As the works meeting on further questions, such as details about the transfer company, approaches on Thursday at 9:30 AM, the employees are considering alternative measures. One such option is working to rule, which could result in employees coming in at 6:00 AM and knocking off at 2:00 PM. Of the remaining 1700 employees, 1420 are scheduled to transition to a transfer company, leaving 300 to potentially face the brunt of any changes.
The works council chairman, Markus Thal, has expressed dissatisfaction with the working director's behaviour of tying the protective shield to conditions. He has also stated that there will be no watering down of dismissal protection. The social tariff agreement is also under review once more.
The employees feel betrayed due to the lack of protective shield in case of insolvency compared to their colleagues in Cologne. They believe that poor treatment of the workforce often leads to unfavourable outcomes, and they are determined to fight for their rights.
This evolving situation at the Ford plant in Saarlouis underscores the complexities of navigating insolvency in the automotive sector and the importance of clear and open communication between management and employees during such challenging times.
- EC countries could provide vocational training opportunities for the 300 employees potentially facing changes at the Ford plant in Saarlouis, as many of them may need to transition to new industries in the event of insolvency.
- In the case of the proposed work-to-rule action at the Ford plant in Saarlouis, the reduced working hours could impact the company's finance and business operations, potentially leading to further concerns about job security and the potential need for additional financial resources.
