September 21, 2026 Automobile workers strike in Germany
September 21, 2026: Correspondence from Rode Morgen, the Netherlands: De Rode Morgen stands in solidarity with the auto workers in Germany who are on strike today. When cars stop rolling off the assembly line, it becomes clear who creates value here. We have published the following message on our website: On September 21, workers in Germany employed in the automobile industry and its suppliers went on strike. IG Metall calls for a day of action: together against the cuts from the corporations and their government. If no more cars roll off the assembly line, it becomes clear who is really creating the value here.
One company after another is implementing programs of intensified exploitation: VW wants to eliminate up to 120,000 jobs worldwide, while in Germany alone, four factories are slated for closure. At Porsche, 9,000 jobs are at risk, 8,000 at BMW, and 650 at Opel.
Current capitalism has led to the crisis in the German car industry. For decades, VW and similar companies set the tone worldwide and were able to push through their prices. The rise of competition, especially from China, has challenged their profit-driven monopoly pricing. VW made a profit of 6.9 billion euros in 2025. The lowest profit since 2016. In 2024, VW made five billion euros more profit. For that reason, Volkswagen wants to cut 50,000 jobs in Germany. Currently, about 720,000 people work in the German auto industry. Of those, about 447,000 work for manufacturers of cars and engines, and about 275,000 work for suppliers. They are a powerful force when they fight united. It's a fight to save every job. For the 30-hour workweek with full wage compensation. Against exploitation by the monopolies and the state.
https://www.rodemorgen.nl/overzicht/nieuws.htm#5077
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