PRESS STATEMENT Airbus: The coronavirus must not be used as a pretext for cutbacks

Jürgen Kerner: “The planned elimination of 6,000 jobs announced by Airbus disproportionately affects Germany. IG Metall will not accept this. The virus must not be used as a pretext for cuts aimed at achieving planned profit targets at the expense of employees. Reacting reflexively with job cuts is short-sighted and jeopardizes the future of Airbus. The technological and ecological transformation of the aviation industry—particularly with regard to the A320 successor (NewSingleAisle)—is imminent. Faced with such a challenge, neither Airbus nor the aviation industry as a whole can afford to cut thousands of skilled workers who were desperately sought after even before the crisis. Layoffs for operational reasons must be ruled out; we are proposing alternatives to this. These include, for example, an industry-wide expansion of short-time work to bridge the crisis, models for a collectively bargained reduction in working hours, and fair retirement options for employees nearing retirement age.

With an eye toward global competitiveness, we now need strategic investments to secure locations and jobs within the Airbus Group and among its suppliers, and to build bridges to the future. We expect binding commitments, particularly for Premium Aerotec. Only with a solid foundation can a fresh start succeed after the crisis. If we miss this opportunity, the fresh start risks becoming a false start. All stakeholders—employers, employees, associations, and policymakers—must agree as quickly as possible on solutions that will prevent drastic cutbacks in the aviation industry.”

Further information and press photos of Jürgen Kerner