Layoffs at Bosch: Staff voice concerns
Bosch, the largest employer in the district, has announced a restructuring plan that will result in the loss of approximately 1,100 jobs at its Reutlingen plant in Germany by 2029. This move, which represents about 10% of the workforce, is part of a strategic shift from producing electronic control units towards semiconductor manufacturing.
The announcement has left many Bosch employees unsettled, with feelings of shock, anger, and insecurity dominating the mood. The works council chairman, Thorsten Dietter, has expressed these sentiments, stating, "Our goal is to secure jobs. Not to manage job cuts."
Claudia Hülsken, the first authorized representative of IG Metall Reutlingen-Tübingen, has voiced her concern, describing the announcement as a heavy shock for the entire region. IG Metall, the powerful German metalworkers' union, has expressed its goal as not being to manage job cuts but to secure jobs.
In response to the concerns, Bosch has scheduled three consecutive works council meetings at the Reutlingen city hall, allowing employees to ask questions to the divisional board and works management. The company has previously shown a willingness to negotiate with labor representatives, having reduced working hours with reduced pay to avoid layoffs.
Employees are hopeful that these meetings will provide more clarity and a perspective for the site in Germany. One Bosch employee expressed concern about the lack of information, stating, "We're only finding out bit by bit." Another employee expressed future anxiety, not just for themselves, but also for their children who also work at Bosch.
Bosch's strategic pivot comes in the face of intense price pressure, rising competition—especially from Chinese firms—and the need to future-proof its operations amid the automotive sector’s profound transformation. The company has cited these factors as the reasons for the restructuring.
While specific details about employee reactions and IG Metall's formal position or potential protests are not yet available, it is common for IG Metall to engage in negotiations to mitigate the impacts on workers, such as pushing for social plans, early retirement options, or retraining programs to cushion job losses.
As the situation unfolds, more insights into the reactions of Bosch employees and IG Metall's formal position are expected to emerge.
The industry-wide tension is palpable as Bosch employees, distraught by the impending job losses, seek clarity and reassurance. IG Metall, a powerful finance-backed union, is determined to negotiate for job security rather than accept the job cuts.
