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Steelworkers strike

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Steelworkers strike
Photo: DPA

Steelworkers in northwestern Germany went on strike Thursday in an attempt to increase pressure on employers to provide raises and equal pay across the industry.

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In Duisburg, Europe’s largest steel-making centre, some 1,500 workers walked off the job for the temporary strike. Meanwhile other workers in Bremen and Lower Saxony also reportedly took part.

“In the whole pay scale area about 90 percent of the workers are taking part,” spokesperson for industrial metalworker’s union IG Metall Dieter Lieske said.

The temporary strike is meant to build momentum for further action in 12 other cities in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, he said.

A third round of negotiations between the union and employers is scheduled for Wednesday, when IG Metall aims to get a six percent salary increase for some 85,000 workers in the industry, who earn an pre-tax average of €3,500 each month.

Additionally they hope to convince the companies that workers deserve equal pay.

“There must be equal pay for equal work,” Lieske said.

There has been no offer of a deal from employers yet.

More strikes are scheduled for Friday.

DPA/ka

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