A report by Reuters claims that the IG Metall union has given German steelmaker ThyssenKrupp until 22 December to agree to job, plant and investment guarantees and put an end to ‘this process of playing for time’, according to Detlef Wetzel, labour representative.

Wetzel, who is also deputy, supervisory board chairman of ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe, said that if there is a negotiated outcome by that date, IG Metall members will then vote on it.

Labour representatives hold half of the 20 seats on ThyssenKrupp’s supervisory board.