IG Metall Defends Conflict with ZF Board - ZF Friedrichshafen Cuts 7,600 Jobs to Save €500 Million by 2030
ZF Friedrichshafen has confirmed that its cost-cutting programme will stabilise its struggling passenger car drivetrain division. The plan, announced in early October, aims to save €500 million. Meanwhile, tensions between management and unions have come to the fore during recent conflict resolution negotiations.
The company’s 'Division E' will reduce its workforce by 7,600 jobs by 2030. This follows earlier announcements of up to 14,000 job cuts by the end of 2028. No further layoffs are currently planned beyond these figures.
Lea Corzilius, ZF’s personnel director, stated that no additional measures would be required to secure the division’s future. The savings programme, she suggested, should be enough to restore financial stability.
Union representatives, however, have criticised the company’s approach. Helene Sommer, chief representative of IG Metall in Friedrichshafen-Oberschwaben, defended the union’s sharp tone in conflict resolution negotiations. She argued that social partnership does not mean avoiding conflict but resolving differing interests through open discussion.
Sommer emphasised that conflict is sometimes necessary to reach fair solutions for employees. Her comments came after a year of strained talks between the union and ZF’s management.
The cost-cutting measures will remain in place, with no further reductions expected. ZF’s leadership believes the €500 million savings will secure the division’s future. For now, the focus shifts to implementing the agreed job cuts and stabilising operations by the end of the decade.
