The situation at Liberty Steel’s continental steel facilities has been in constant deterioration since Fall 2023, until it took a dramatic turn last week with a series of severe restructuring announcements which sent shocking waves amongst European steelworkers.
On July 23, Liberty Steel management announced its intention to proceed with massive layoffs at its Ostrava plant (Czechia) as it decided to close Ostrava’s coke ovens and to idle the iron and steelmaking facilities. Up to 2,600 workers face the risk of redundancy! The company being insolvent, uncertainty prevails as to the payment of notice periods and severance packages for dismissed workers. On 29 July, the Labour Office of the Czech Republic announced launching a support programme including career guidance, retraining and wage subsidies to help Liberty Ostrava workers threatened by job loss.
IndustriAll Europe and IndustriALL Global Union express their unwavering solidarity with Liberty Ostrava workers and their trade union OS KOVO in their courageous fight for preserving their jobs and steel plant. Full support is brought to OS KOVO’s call on Liberty Steel’s creditors, on the Czech government and on the European Commission to take their responsibilities without further delay. See industriAll Europe and IndustriALL Global Union’s solidarity letter here.
Regrettably, other Liberty Steel operations are affected by extremely worrying developments. On July 25, the District court of Częstochowa declared the Polish Liberty steel plant bankrupt and appointed a “receiver” to take over the plant management. The Company appealed to the Court decision. In Hungary, to date, the one-off July bonus which was collectively agreed in June with the local unions at the Liberty Dunaújváros has not been paid. While the June collective agreement also foresaw a pay rise, 1000+ workers saw they wage cut by 30% due to imposed change in shift schedules.
IndustriAll Europe and IndustriALL Global Union strictly condemn irresponsible decisions which could irreversibly damage Europe’s strategic steel production capacities and leave thousands of workers and their families behind. Steel trade unions refuse that workers pay the brunt of mismanagement and lack of effective support by public authorities!
IndustriAll Europe and IndustriALL Global Union strictly condemn irresponsible decisions which could irreversibly damage Europe’s strategic steel production capacities and leave thousands of workers and their families behind. Steel trade unions refuse that workers pay the brunt of mismanagement and lack of effective support by public authorities!
Public action is urgently needed more than ever to safeguard Europe’s strategic steel assets from collapse. Policymakers must commit to a genuine Steel Action plan.