Investigative Body Uncovers Findings
In a significant development, Thyssenkrupp's steel division is facing substantial upheavals, with plans for a potential job cut of approximately 5,000 steelworkers and an additional 6,000 jobs being outsourced. This news has raised concerns among employee representatives and local policymakers, who are urging the state government to take a firm stance on the matter.
Sonja Bongers, an SPD state parliamentarian, has expressed her concern about the situation at Thyssenkrupp, emphasizing the importance of upholding co-determination rights for the 11,000 employees of Thyssenkrupp Steel. Bongers argues that the professional future of these employees and their families is directly linked to the upholding of co-determination rights.
The board of Thyssenkrupp is reportedly aiming for a social plan affecting 11,000 employees. This plan, if implemented, would have a significant impact on the future of the workforce. The state government's response is crucial for the co-determination rights of these employees, as disregard for these rights could potentially jeopardize their jobs.
In North Rhine-Westphalia, co-determination rights have often been circumvented, undermined, or attempts have been made to curtail them in recent years. However, it is essential that the state government's actions are significant in ensuring the co-determination rights of the 11,000 employees of Thyssenkrupp Steel are not compromised further.
The IG Metall trade union and works councils have expressed a pragmatic stance, acknowledging the weak economy and supporting the need for restructuring. Despite earlier criticisms of CEO Miguel López, IG Metall's leadership has stated their willingness to support "painful processes" constructively and to remain open to new solutions, balancing employee interests with economic realities.
Regarding the impact on co-determination rights, IG Metall retains significant influence, with its leadership, including Jürgen Kerner, occupying key supervisory roles in Thyssenkrupp. This suggests that while there are large job cuts, employee participation rights have not been overridden but are supporting the restructuring plans in a controlled manner.
In addition to the direct steelworker layoffs and outsourcing, about 1,500 administrative and headquarter jobs are also under threat. Media reports indicate plans to cut around 1,500 administrative and headquarter jobs in Essen and other administrative roles, which local policymakers have described as "dramatic."
Furthermore, about 2,370 jobs are set to be cut by February 2024 as part of a wage agreement with IG Metall, with continued investment planned in steel operations. This reflects a large-scale restructuring in Thyssenkrupp's steel business with material job losses but within the framework of existing co-determination structures where employee representatives are involved in the process.
Transparency, negotiation on an equal footing, and respect for employees should be standard in Thyssenkrupp's co-determination bodies. Employee representatives must be involved in discussions, according to Bongers. The IG Metall union has also criticized the plans and threatened resistance, stressing the need for a balanced approach that considers the interests of both employees and the company.
In conclusion, Thyssenkrupp's steel division is undergoing a significant restructuring, with approximately 5,000 steelworkers set to lose their jobs directly and an additional 6,000 jobs being outsourced. The situation underscores the importance of upholding co-determination rights and ensuring that employee representatives are involved in the decision-making process. The state government's response will play a crucial role in determining the future of Thyssenkrupp Steel's workforce of 11,000 employees.
The restructuring in Thyssenkrupp's steel division, with its potential impact on around 11,000 employees, highlights the need for significant involvement of employee representatives in the manufacturing industry's finance and business decisions. The state government's actions are crucial to uphold co-determination rights, as they directly affect the future of these employees in the industry.
