BOCHUM (dpa-AFX) - IG Metall has appealed to the Executive Board of the industrial group Thyssenkrupp to work together again "at eye level" with the employee side in the development of the Group strategy. "We still need a close alliance between the shareholders, between the Executive Board and the co-determination side," said deputy IG Metall chairman Jürgen Kerner in Bochum on Thursday. The occasion was the upcoming shareholders' meeting of the industrial group this Friday. It is the first Annual General Meeting with CEO Miguel López, who took over the helm in June. Kerner is also Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Thyssenkrupp.

The relationship between IG Metall and López is considered strained after the Supervisory Board added two new positions to the Executive Board at the end of November against all the votes of the employee side. The union sharply criticized this and spoke of a "cultural break in co-determination". The shareholders and the new CEO López had broken with the tried and tested co-determination practice at thyssenkrupp. The employees' side criticized above all that the expansion of the Executive Board contradicted the ongoing cost-cutting programs.

The traditional group with around 100,000 employees is undergoing radical change. For example, there are plans to make the two large divisions Steel and Naval Shipbuilding independent.

"We know and see that the Group is in a serious situation," said Kerner. The necessary investment funds to develop all businesses forward are not available. That is why the employees are prepared to enter into fundamental discussions with the Management Board and the shareholders. "We have repeatedly signaled that if you discuss things with us at eye level, we will not close our minds to any solutions." For example, the company is currently prepared to discuss the sale of Marine. "However, we naturally also have the expectation that we will shape this process together."

In a leaflet that IG Metall intends to distribute to shareholders on Friday, the union accuses the management of "aimlessness". A lack of investment and unclear strategies are jeopardizing the future of Thyssenkrupp. Many problems are home-made. "Mr. López has promised to get the company back on track. But his actions lack transparency," it continued. Addressing López on Thursday, Kerner said: "Don't put your head through the wall, but take the open door."/tob/DP/jha