ESSEN (dpa-AFX) - Thousands of employees of the industrial group Thyssenkrupp want to demonstrate in Essen on Thursday against the way the Thyssenkrupp Executive Board treats its employees. Up to 5000 employees from all divisions are expected to attend the protest rally. The occasion is a meeting of the Supervisory Board of the Group holding company on the same day.

Employee representatives accuse the Executive Board headed by Chairman Miguel López, among other things, of not involving them sufficiently and at an early stage in important decisions. A leaflet speaks of a "disrespectful policy". The Executive Board repeatedly rejected this. The conflict has been simmering for months.

The main focus is on the steel division, Germany's largest steel manufacturer with 27,000 employees. A significant reduction in steel production capacity is planned in Duisburg, which is to be linked to job cuts. In addition, the EPCG holding company of Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky is to acquire a 20 percent stake in the steel division. The Supervisory Board is to vote on the acquisition on Thursday.

The second chairman of IG Metall, Jürgen Kerner, will speak to the employees at the rally. He is also Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Thyssenkrupp AG. A speech by NRW Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Karl-Josef Laumann (CDU) has also been announced. Group CEO López may also address the employees./tob/DP/ngu