Job Security: Employee Confidence Remains High - Workers at ZF express concern over potential job losses
Automobile supplier ZF is currently in the midst of a crisis, with the company suffering from missed orders and high costs associated with the transition to electric motors. The company has announced plans to cut up to 14,000 jobs in Germany by the end of 2028, with the Saarbrücken plant already experiencing losses.
On July 29, 2025, a significant labor demonstration with over 4,000 participants took place at ZF facilities, including the Saarbrücken plant. The protest, supported by the IG Metall union and employee groups, targeted the announced job cuts and aimed to raise awareness and pressure management.
The demonstration caused moderate localized disruptions such as operational slowdowns and access restrictions but did not lead to significant violence or widespread damage. The atmosphere at the protest was very heated, according to IG Metall representative Patrick Selzer.
ZF currently employs around 8,500 people in Saarland, with many employees' working hours already reduced. If there is a further reduction in jobs, the question arises as to whether the Saarbrücken site could still be viable.
The E division, which is important for Saarbrücken, is unlikely to be spun off or sold, said Selzer. The E division includes not only electric but also conventional and hybrid drives. The company's loss last year amounted to over one billion euros.
The meeting to decide on these cuts takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday at ZF's headquarters in Friedrichshafen on Lake Bodensee. No information is expected from the supervisory board on Tuesday. IG Metall fears for the future of the plant if the supervisory board decides on further cuts.
The latest escalation was triggered by ZF CEO Holger Klein's increasingly stringent austerity course. Previous plans foresaw a reduction of 4,500 jobs from around 10,000 by the end of 2028. If there are further cuts and potential dismissals, this number could increase.
Several hundred ZF employees participated in the action day in Koblenz. Around 5,700 jobs have already been lost since the beginning of 2024. Protests also occurred at ZF's headquarters in Friedrichshafen, with approximately 6,000 participants.
As the job cut process at ZF Saarbrücken continues, with strong employee and IG Metall opposition demonstrated through sizable protests in late July 2025, the future of the plant remains uncertain. ZF will publish its half-year results on Thursday.
[1] ZF plans to cut a total of 14,000 jobs in Germany by 2028. [2] In response to these planned job cuts, large protests are taking place. [4] If there is a further reduction in jobs, the question arises as to whether the Saarbrücken site could still be viable.
- Given the ongoing job cuts announced by ZF, amounting to a total of 14,000 positions in Germany by 2028, the company's finance department will need to reevaluate and update the community policy to address the potential impact on affected employees.
- In the world of business, sports often serve as a powerful metaphor for competition, perseverance, and teamwork, qualities that are essential for ZF as they navigate the turbulent transition to electric motors and the resulting employment policy changes, especially in the face of significant protests by employees and the IG Metall union.
