Schweinfurt: ZF plans 965 job cuts – IG Metall agrees!

Schweinfurt: ZF plans 965 job cuts – IG Metall agrees!

In Schweinfurt, drastic changes are coming at ZF Friedrichshafen. The majority of IG Metall members have spoken out in favor of a realignment of the drive division, and that has far-reaching consequences. How In Franconia reports, the group plans to cut around 14,000 jobs worldwide by 2030, including around 7,600 jobs in the so-called Division E, which produces electric, hybrid and conventional drives. In Schweinfurt, around 965 jobs are to be lost, which is causing concern among the affected employees.

The vote of IG Metall members was 91.7 percent in favor of the restructuring program. This decision is seen as a strong signal of the chosen course, even if it was made amidst uncertainty. In eight information events, employees received comprehensive information about the compromise and the upcoming changes.

Avoidance of redundancies for operational reasons

Despite the job cuts, ZF is committed to avoiding redundancies for operational reasons. According to those responsible, this should be done through socially acceptable measures such as severance pay, early retirement and partial retirement. In addition, the reduction will be carried out primarily through volunteer programs and qualification offers. The willingness of employees to participate in this process is reflected in the surveys and the general mood in the company.

The new CEO of ZF, Mathias Miedreich, made it clear in a press conference on October 1, 2025 that Division E will not be sold or spun off, but rather an internal restructuring will be sought. These announcements came after protests aimed at preventing the spin-off, and it remains to be seen how the situation will develop further. An additional rethink seems necessary in order to be able to overcome the ongoing financial challenges, which are also caused by the company's debt burden and the crisis in the automotive industry.

The situation for the employees

For the employees in Division E, which employs over 30,000 people in Germany, this realignment does not just mean job losses. Working conditions will also be influenced: weekly working hours are to be reduced by around 7 percent by the end of 2027, which will be accompanied by salary cuts. The salary increase planned for April 2026 will be postponed to October 2026, creating additional uncertainty for the workforce. Many employee representatives have made concessions in order to reach an agreement, which does not make the already tense situation any easier. ZF works council boss Achim Dietrich said that despite the agreement there was no joy about the cuts, which reflects the worried mood of the employees.

The coming weeks and months will be crucial to how these restructuring plans develop. Employees and company management must now pull together to overcome the challenges together and create prospects for the future. The next results of IG Metall's nationwide membership vote are expected on October 13th and could further determine the direction of future steps.