Vehicle industry – MAN-Steyr works council: “Almost extortionate methods”

MAN-Steyr workers’ works council Erich Schwarz speaks of “almost blackmailing methods” because the corporate headquarters in Munich is pushing the pace with the sale of the plant in Steyr. If an agreement with investor Siegfried Wolf is not reached quickly, the closure of the site is the only alternative, it was said at the weekend. The workforce representative described this on Monday with a “eat-or-die” mentality, he did not see any urgency. On March 24th, according to the current schedule, the approximately 2,300 employees will be informed in a general meeting under which conditions Wolf wants to take over the company. One of the “sticking points” for Schwarz is Wolf’s connections with the Russian automobile company GAZ Group and the oligarch Oleg Deripaska. He sees the US sanctions against Russia as a “danger” after GAZ is supposed to deliver parts to Steyr. He also sees Wolf’s plan to “start from scratch” as a challenge. That could not be carried out “in a fast-track process”, as it was obviously planned. Since there is “unrestricted production for MAN” in Steyr until autumn, there is still enough time. Last but not least, to wait for another offer. Group around a Linz entrepreneur allegedly also interested According to reports, a group led by Linz entrepreneur Karl Egger (KeKelit) and advised by the law firm Lansky / Ganzger is planning a “Green Mobility Center” with a focus on e-mobility. Ex-Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer (SPÖ) and Siemens Austria boss Wolfgang Hesoun are said to be on board. According to Siemens, however, it is evidently a “misunderstanding”: “The maintenance and strengthening of Austria as an industrial and business location, as well as the necessary setting of the course, are regularly the subject of discussions with various stakeholders. In the concrete negotiations and discussions in connection with MAN -Location in Steyr, GD Wolfgang Hesoun is not involved or involved. “MAN plans to close the plant in Steyr in 2023 as part of a group-wide savings program. Workers and politicians insist that the site is profitable and that there are site security contracts. These should actually have guaranteed the stock until 2030, but this was canceled by MAN. Since the mother’s savings plans became known, a solution for Steyr has been struggled with. (apa)