Germany: major day of union action in the automotive industry ahead of collective bargaining

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A few weeks before the start of collective bargaining in the German metalworking sector, the IG Metall trade union mobilised nearly 175,000 workers across more than 200 industrial sites on 21 September 2026 during a major national day of action. As vehicle manufacturers and component suppliers cut production capacity, costs and headcount, IG Metall is demanding investment, new models and support from the federal government for a sector threatened by plant closures and relocations.
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Yesterday, Monday 21 September, the IG Metall union called on employees in the German automotive industry to take part in a national day of action that brought together, according to the organisers, around 175,000 workers, compared to the 100,000 expected, across more than 220 sites. Company assemblies, active lunch breaks, star marches and other rallies were on the agenda under a unified slogan: “A future rather than deep cuts, cohesion is our greatest asset”. At Mercedes-Benz in Sindelfingen,

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