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Thyssenkrupp labour leader demands clarity from Kretinsky on steel JV plans

Workers at Thyssenkrupp's steel unit are demanding clearness from coowner Daniel Kretinsky over his strategy for the division, a leading labour agent stated, adding the billionaire's failure to respond did not bode well for future cooperation.

I am very open with regard to the concern of financiers, stated Knut Giesler, who heads the IG Metall union in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where Thyssenkrupp is based.

But I am opposed if it is unclear what the objective is, Giesler, who also works as the deputy chairman of Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe's (TKSE) supervisory board, informed Reuters.

Kretinsky earlier this year obtained a 20% stake in TKSE from Thyssenkrupp, with speak to sell him a further 30% in the company continuous, but there have been questions over whether a. joint venture makes tactical sense.

Unions are wary of Thyssenkrupp's enduring efforts to. sell TKSE, which is suffering from high costs and inexpensive Asian. imports and last month revealed plans to shed 11,000 tasks, or. around 40%, of its staff by means of cuts, divestments or outsourcing.

Three months ago, we sent Mr Kretinsky a questionnaire. that's numerous pages long, Giesler said. He has actually not reacted. That does not inspire confidence that a joint endeavor with Mr. Kretinsky is really a good idea.

Giesler's remarks reflect steel workers' scepticism over. Kretinsky's strategic goals and whether he is committed to. bear financial duty for the business in a 50:50 joint. endeavor.

Meantime, Kretinsky has hailed the partnership, saying it. combined the energy competence of his holding EPCG - through which. he purchased the stake - with Thyssenkrupp's power-hungry. steelmaking service.

Talks in between Thyssenkrupp and Kretinsky now depend upon a. mid-term company plan that is currently being developed and is. anticipated early in 2025.

(source: Reuters)