Engine makers in Friedrichshafen: Rolls-Royce subsidiary faces layoffs

However, according to the chairman of the works council, the regional agreement and job security recently negotiated for Rolls-Royce Power Systems, which does not include people laid off until the end of 2026, has an encouraging effect. “There is no longer any fear about your own work now.”

Two annual salaries should be paid

However, the jobs will still be cut, Labor Director Thelse Godewerth announced after the meeting. He also spoke to the staff in the morning. In RRPS they want to “improve performance” and “use interactions within the group”. Among other things, the company has launched a program to pay people who left their jobs; According to Detlef Gagg, Head of Human Resources for Germany, the plan is to pay a severance payment of two years’ salary for voluntarily leaving employees. However, the program is not open to everyone. “We will approach the workers.â€

According to the company, it will be known in the first quarter of 2024 how many jobs will be cut due to severance payments and other changes. Works council boss Bittelmeyer expects up to 600 jobs at RRPS and up to 350 jobs at the Friedrichshafen headquarters. Manager Godewerth said only that the engine manufacturer “will certainly make a contribution” to the desired job cuts. In addition, there are plans to integrate work within the group, for example in engineering. The goal, according to Godewerth: “We want double-digit margins.”

“We have modern and outdated machines.“

What is known so far is that the fuel cell division should be sold due to lack of economic prospects. In the case of the marine engine series, the cylinder heads will no longer be manufactured in-house, but will be available ready for installation from the dealer. Bittelmeyer did not venture to predict Tuesday whether that will continue to be the case in the future. “We have modern and outdated machines.†He added to the criticism he had made several times this year about the English parent company’s acquisition of German subsidiaries. “It seems to me that it is about harvesting as quickly as possible.“

Labor director Thelse Godewerth countered criticism that ailing jet engine maker Rolls-Royce was continuing regardless of losses and was risking Friedrichshafen’s future by limiting investment to essentials. German worker rights enjoy “high respect” under London-based CEO Tufan Erginbilgic. He himself speaks from a “position of power” during negotiations in England. The company’s next regular meeting on Lake Constance is scheduled for next April.