From Engel in Schwertberg to Pöttinger in Grieskirchen to Wacker Neuson in Hörsching: this week there was a strike in many companies. At Voestalpine, preparations for the industrial action are still being made. There will be a standstill at all locations next week.
Voestalpine’s factory entrances in Linz were blocked, causing long traffic jams in early morning traffic: the photos from Wednesday, November 8 had an impact. This week, however, the subject of strikes at the steel company appears to have been ignored. “There are only a small number of strikes this week,” confirms Hans Karl Schaller, chairman of the group’s works council.
The picture could look very different next week. At the Voestalpine works council conference on Wednesday evening, the course was set for the next major measures, although they will return to the negotiating table on Monday. “We will continue with the strikes – we are there in all locations,” Schaller is determined.
“They wanted to shut down the systems immediately”
He speaks of an atmosphere “that is completely heated” and of a level of support that he has “never experienced before”. He had to stop his colleagues. “They wanted to shut down the systems immediately,” Schaller said. “A strike is important, but very sensitive. This must be done quietly. You don’t want to mess anything up.” For example, a blast furnace is not a coffee machine that you turn on and off. Even during strikes it continues.
The employers’ offer is a mockery for the employees, he says. “Rents, food and household energy have become more expensive – there is no benefit from a one-off payment,” says Schaller.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
