Multitudes of steelworkers demonstrate in Duisburg against Thyssenkrupp's management.
The police estimated that around 6,000 to 8,000 employees participated in the demonstration in Duisburg, which was fewer than the 10,000 to 13,000 people they initially expected. The event was relatively calm, according to the police, as they informed AFP news agency.
Last Friday, Thyssenkrupp announced its plans to sell 20% of its struggling steel division to Kretinsky's company, EPCG. There have also been discussions about possible acquisition of an additional 30% of the steel division's shares by EPCG, with the aim being a 50/50 joint venture.
General Works Council Chairman Tekin Nasikkol expressed dissatisfaction with CEO Miguel López and Supervisory Board Chairman Siegfried Russwurm. He claimed that they didn't provide enough information. He called their actions a "provocation" and a "declaration of war", and many employees were fearful of losing their jobs. IG Metall requested guarantees against compulsory redundancies and preserving all facilities.
Thyssenkrupp denied that they did not include the employees in the decision-making process. They stated, "This situation has never been the case, and will never be in the future." They have frequently stressed in committees and publicly that Thyssenkrupp has been engaging in discussions with EPCG with the goal of forming a partnership.
López, CEO of the company, unveiled a concept on Friday that is intended to be received positively and prevent layoffs. He stated that dialogue with all groups and employees is essential. According to the company, the partnership they're pursuing would have "no impact whatsoever on existing work agreements or labor agreements."
Thyssenkrupp announced possible changes in its steel industry in the last quarter due to the significant financial losses. The steel division has faced difficulties for years due to falling prices, rising energy expenses, and increased competition.
In mid-April, Thyssenkrupp reduced production at its Duisburg site significantly. At the time, it was also reported that job cuts would result from the reduced output. On Friday, Thyssenkrupp highlighted that their partnership with EPCG could be beneficial in preserving the German steel industry.
Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD), Bundestag President Bärbel Bas (SPD), who is from Duisburg, and North Rhine-Westphalia's Labor Minister Karl-Josef Laumann (CDU) all attended the demonstration in Duisburg on Tuesday. The SPD parliamentary group moved their group meeting there "in solidarity with the employees".
Minister President Hendrik Wüst (CDU) from North Rhine-Westphalia commented that he expected Thyssenkrupp management to involve the employees. Collaboration between social partners has been successful in this state. He predicted that ThyssenKrupp's management would take this into account in their upcoming decisions.
The left-wing party's economic policy spokesperson for the Bundestag, Jörg Cezanne, mentioned widespread uncertainty among the 27,000 employees of the steel division. The employees have little control over their company's future, he said, "but they do know that the steel company in Duisburg wants to dramatically reduce crude steel capacity."
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Source: www.stern.de
