Strike at Krupp Steelworks

from the 'Fingncial Times! About 17,000 men at Bochumer Verein, a Krupp-controlled steelworks, struck for several hours on June 23rd because they feared imminent mass dismissals. Several thousand- a Krupp spokesman estimabed their number at 5,000- marched to Bochumer Verein headquarters for a . demonstration. Work was resumed after lunch, The protest had been called by the works council which is elected by the men, Members of this council have to be consulted before mass dismissals take place. Iwo days ago they told a meeting of workers that more than 2,000 men would lose their jobs at Bochumer Verein and its parent steel company. (The Krupp steel company). It does appear to be true that dismissals on that scale were contained in proposals for rationalisation worked out at management level. They went before the supervisory board on June 23rd where they were considerably toned down, It would not be the first time in Krupp history that the very top leadership has overruled economy measures in the interests of good relations with the men. The Board decided to stretch the run-down over a long period and to try to find other jobs for the men becoming redundant. As the econoiiy measures are to be concentrated in ancillary departments, whereas the main production centres are short of men, that should to a certain extent be possible. A statement issued after the meeting of the supervisory Board said that the state of the steel industry made economies necessary, including measures cutting down on labour costs. Cuts to be made would be concentrated in ancillary services, including administration. Scope for economies, especially in administration, was created last year by the merging of Bochumer Verein in the Krupp steel industry.