Duisburg – The second chairwoman of IG Metall, Christiane Benner, visited thyssenkrupp Steel today, Tuesday. During a factory tour and in conversation with trainees from thyssenkrupp Steel, she got a precise picture of the transformational development of the site. Benner was enthusiastic about the commitment of the employees, at their workplace and in the fight for a sustainable future in the steel industry. “Today I got to know smart employees and trainees who have a clear view of the challenges of their workplace. They are committed to green steel and a sustainable future for the industry and deserve all the support for it!”
Christiane Benner clearly welcomed the government funding of around two billion euros, with 1.3 billion coming from the federal government and 700 million from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. This provides the prerequisite for the “tkH2Steel” decarbonization project and thus the way to a green steel industry. However, Benner also made it clear that in the short term a competitive industrial electricity price is essential for the preservation and development of Germany as an industrial location. “The basic industry and thus also the steel industry are a central link in the industrial value chain. Energy-intensive businesses need short-term support. However, this is not unconditional: a time limit, a concrete transformation perspective as well as location guarantees and adherence to tariffs must be prerequisites for this!”
Tekin Nasikkol, Chairman of the General Works Council of thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG, added: “We works councils together with IG Metall agree that the transformation of the German economy must go hand in hand with climate protection without de-industrialization. Politicians must now set the course to secure Germany’s industrial future. From our point of view, the social question must be given just as much priority in the ecological restructuring of industry.”
In the meeting of the wage commission for the west German steel industry, which took place after the second chairperson’s visit, the demands for the bargaining round running in autumn and winter were discussed. The focus was also on the topic of reducing working hours, which plays a particularly important role for employees who work in shifts.
Artur Siemens Press Spokesman Tel.: 069-6693 2 / mobile: 0160 533 Email: artur.siemens@igmetall.de
Mike SchürgPress Spokesman and Office Manager IG Metall District North Rhine-WestphaliaTel: 0211 45484162 / mobile: 0170 3333731E-Mail: mike.schuerg@igmetall.de
Dzenan KurspahicRepresentative General Works Council thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG BTel: 0203 5240433 / mobile: 0172 1500841E-Mail: dzenan.kurspahic@thyssenkrupp.com