COLOGNE, May 14 (Reuters) - Workers at Ford's two

car plants in the German city of Cologne went on strike on

Wednesday, protesting thousands of planned job cuts across the

U.S. automaker's European operations.

The cuts at Ford reflect a broader shake-up in the car

sector as companies like Volkswagen, Nissan ( NSANF )

and General Motors ( GM ) axe jobs in response to new

competition from China, weak demand and the costly transition to

electrification.

Striking workers gathered in front of one of the Cologne

plants, holding aloft a red banner with the slogan "Fight for

every job."

"The strike today costs a couple of million euros in

losses," works' council head Benjamin Grushka said from the edge

of the picket line, referring to the halt in production as a

result of the 24-hour walkout.

"So it hurts. I would be surprised if the Ford plants don't

invite us for further talks tomorrow over the course of the

day."

On the possibility of further industrial action, Grushka

said, "If the employer doesn't make a move, we are ready to

strike."

The company is yet to comment on the strike and did not

immediately respond to an emailed request for comment from

Reuters on Wednesday.

Ford workers voted last week to strike, after the company

said in November it would cut around 14% of its European

workforce, with Germany particularly hard hit.

Labour representatives have insisted that management find

alternative measures to restructure the business.

(Reporting by Petra Wischgoll in Cologne, writing by Rachel

More, editing by Thomas Seythal)