- Thyssenkrupp Steel: Abundant Supply Amidst Works Council Protest
At the biggest German steel producer, Thyssenkrupp Steel, a move by the employee representative body, the works council, caused quite a commotion on Thursday. As per the head of the works council, Dzenan Kurspahic, the works councils shared details about the company's present condition to all employees across different locations. This update, concerning the company's major restructuring, affected thousands of workers, resulting in production delays and halts.
Authorities Report Traffic Issues from "Gathering"
In Duisburg, home to 13,000 of the steel division's 27,000 employees, the works council set up temporary works council offices at seven factory entrances. The heavy footfall led to traffic disruptions at three spots. The police confirmed that approximately 350 to 400 individuals were present on the street outside the entrances. An officer described it as a gathering.
The root of the issue is the division's steel restructuring at Thyssenkrupp. Struggling due to the economic downturn and cheap imports, the division aims to establish independence and improve its financial health. This transformation involves reducing the steel production capacity in Duisburg, leading to job cuts. The main point of contention is the financial support provided by the parent company during the spin-off.
The IG Metall union expresses concern, as mentioned in a leaflet distributed on Wednesday, that the production capacity could be reduced by half, which could potentially result in the loss of more than 10,000 jobs. The corporate headquarters challenged this claim, describing it as mere speculation. "Unnecessarily, apprehensions are being ignited among our employees," stated the corporation in response.
Despite the corporation's denial, the idea of substantial job losses due to the restructuring has caused widespread anxiety among other Thyssenkrupp Steel employees. Many are concerned about the impact on their livelihoods and the fate of other factories outside Duisburg.
During the commotion caused by the works council's announcement, some employees voiced their concerns about the potential closure of other facilities, fearing that they might face the same fate as those affected in Duisburg.
