German Brewery Workers Rally for Fair Severance as Politicians Skip Second Protest

250 protest at Herforder Brauerei over fair severance; closure by August 2026. Other German plants face insolvency or delays, highlighting sector struggles.

About 250 people gathered at the Herforder Brauerei site in Hiddenhausen at the end of May. The food-and-beverage union NGG and the works council had jointly called for the demonstration. At the heart of the dispute: a fair social plan for the roughly 100 employees facing redundancy.

The owner, Haus Cramer, announced the closure of the traditional brewery. Production is scheduled to stop permanently at the end of August 2026. A buyer for the site is already being sought.

A second wave, a notable absence

A second protest wave rolled in on June 3. Hundreds of people again took part. This time, however, the absence of local politicians drew attention. The mayor, the district administrator and a federal MP did not attend. The organisers admitted that there may have been oversights in inviting the elected officials.

Industry tremor: one brewery expands, another collapses

While Hiddenhausen faces shutdown, elsewhere in Germany things are moving. The city council of Dortmund approved a concept for the Borussia Brauerei. It is to move to a new location at Speicherstraße in the port, complete with production, a market hall and gastronomy.

Things look bleaker for the Halberstädter Konserven GmbH. At the beginning of June the company filed for insolvency for the third time. Operations have been suspended since June 1. One hundred and fifty jobs are at risk with no prospect of insolvency payments.

Valeo delay eases the pressure, but only slightly

At least one plant closure has been postponed. The Valeo factory in Mühlhausen will now shut at the end of December 2027 rather than earlier. The 163 employees have been promised severance arrangements and a transfer company.

Tensions in the sector remain high. On June 5, nationwide warning strikes in retail highlighted demands for substantial wage increases. Just two days later, farmers in Krummhörn dumped 30,000 litres of milk in protest against low producer prices.

While major corporations such as AB Inbev strengthen their position — the company will take over an exclusive beer partnership at the Wacken Open Air from 2026 for five years — traditional businesses are fighting for survival.

Burglary adds to Hiddenhausen’s woes

The situation in Hiddenhausen is further complicated by criminal activity. Between June 1 and 2, unknown persons broke into a storage hall in the neighbourhood. They stole high-end tools worth a high five-figure euro amount. Police investigations are ongoing.