Steelworkers in Bremen Protest: "Steel Needs a Future" at the Bremen Steelworks
Can Steel Endure the Test of Time? - Is there Promise for the Steel Industry?
Bremen's Rising Rage
Discontent in Bremen is mounting over the halt of "green steel": Over 1,000 workers have stood up against ArcelorMittal's decision. Murat Develioglu, steel construction locksmith and works council member, expressed the collective feelings at the meeting with IG Metall: "This decision has stirred up uncertainty, worry, and anger among many of us," he remarked. "Today, we are telling the company that we won't accept every decision they make without a fight."
Slap in the Face
From IG Metall Bremen's perspective, the conversion of Bremen's steelworks is an inevitable necessity. Ute Buggeln, Bremen's IG Metall business manager, was blunt, "Green steel is our future – otherwise, we'll go under. To now say 'We all have to wait and see' – that's the slap in the face." The company's trust is being squandered, as over 3,500 workers at the Bremen plant and 10,000 jobs in the region depend on it, including suppliers.
Years of Struggle
Buggeln has been battling for years to create conditions for the steel industry to compete and for ArcelorMittal to commit to green steel. "We haven't achieved that yet," she admitted.
Green Steel Halted
Last week, ArcelorMittal announced it would not continue with plans to switch to "green" steel production in Bremen and Eisenhüttenstadt, Germany. Transitioning from coal-fired blast furnaces to hydrogen-powered electric arc furnaces, featuring hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources, was the original plan. By abandoning the project, ArcelorMittal forgoes over €1.3 billion in state funding.
Steel Industry Transformation at a Standstill
The decision is a setback for the transformation of Germany's steel industry, a significant CO2 emitter, crucial to achieving climate goals. The steelworks is currently responsible for half of Bremen's CO2 emissions.
Call for a Steel Summit
Bremen's mayor, Andreas Bovenschulte, slammed the steel company's decision, expressing his anger and disappointment. Bremen and the state government have long advocated for the conversion of the steelworks, and Bovenschulte promised the struggle would continue: "Steel has been produced in Bremen for 100 years, and the state government has always supported the employees, both in good times and bad." He supports Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister of Finance, Lars Klingbeil's (SPD) proposal for a steel summit. "We need a commitment – not just from Bremen politics, but from federal German politics, to the steel industry," he stressed.
Works Council Wants Action
Works council chairman Mike Böhlken is unconvinced by mere handshakes and hollow promises. "I've experienced enough talk without action," said the metalworker. "Now we need to come up with a realistic plan." Böhlken demands competitive electricity prices and an adequate supply of hydrogen, emphasizing that these conditions must be met for the company to resume "green steel" plans in Bremen. "We must continue to fight for this," he concluded, addressing the audience directly: "Steel needs a future!" Despite the worker's reply, "Yes, but not here," such struggles won't deter the fight for a green and competitive steel industry in Bremen.
- The steelworkers' protest in Bremen highlights the potential impact of halted "green steel" initiatives on employment policies within the industry, affecting over 3,500 workers at the Bremen plant and thousands more in the region.
- The transformation of Germany's steel industry, a significant CO2 emitter, is facing a significant setback due to ArcelorMittal's decision to abandon the transition to "green" steel production in Bremen and Eisenhüttenstadt, resulting in the forfeiture of over €1.3 billion in state funding.
- Politics and business leaders in Bremen, including the mayor and vice-chairman of the Federal Ministry of Finance, have advocated for a steel summit to address the future of the steel industry, stressing the need for a commitment from federal German politics to achieve a green and competitive steel industry in the region.
