Intensive negotiations have taken place on 5 preconditions included in the Project “Beter Werken” agreed by employees and the union at a meeting in October 2011. The bargaining was tough and strike action had to be threatened to get results. As progress has now been made on these preconditions, the union will now begin to negotiate on a social plan. Tata Steel has withdrawn its plan to axe 1,000 jobs, but there will be relocation of the workers concerned within the company and a departure incentive scheme for workers leaving on a voluntary basis. The union has agreed to the potential improvement of efficiency as long as it does not lead to more overtime/ / additional services or structural use of more temporary workers or further outsourcing of permanent employment. The work has to be done normally by the permanent staff. Another important point is that the promised investments have to be made before the company proceeds with any plans for voluntary job cuts.

Clarification is also sought on HTD and Maintenance. Despite this result the union deplores it has to resort to strike threats and action to obtain results, which does not help the climate within the company.