German car workers take to the streets asking brands to secure jobs

Car industry workers protested across Germany on Monday, calling on management of major brands including Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz to secure jobs and provide a perspective for the future.

"Just like here at Volkswagen, workers in the automotive and supply industries are gathering all over the country today to show employers and politicians that they’ve had enough," Christiane Benner, head of the powerful IG Metall union, said at a rally at Volkswagen headquarters in Wolfsburg.

"Things are going up in flames everywhere at the moment."

Media representatives were denied access to the site during the protest, as ordered by management last week, according to the Volkswagen works council and IG Metall.

The union, which represents a vast share of workers in Germany's car industry, has called for protests at more than 200 locations on Monday, with more than 100,000 expected to attend.

Germany's carmakers have long been under pressure due to increasing Chinese competition, while also struggling with high energy prices, US tariffs and waning demand at home.

Volkswagen plans to cut 100,000 jobs over the next few years, while the future of four German plants hangs in the balance entirely.

Other brands like Mercedes and BMW are also planning far-reaching cuts.

The trade union leader said that workers expect executives to take responsibility for Germany as an automotive nation, for employees and for jobs.

Benner called on politicians to provide reliable conditions for investment, affordable energy and support to boost production in the EU.