Worries in Steyr

Industry summit must wait until after the election

Alarmed: Steyr's mayor Markus Vogl.(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Harald Dostal, Markus Wenzel,)

"Steyr is one of the most important industrial locations in Austria, and it should stay that way. We need a perspective before the hat burns." These were the words of Steyr's mayor Markus Vogl at the end of July in response to the latest cutbacks at Steyr Automotive. The industry summit he called for is still a long time coming.

At the end of July, Steyr Automotive registered around 200 employees for redundancy with the AMS early warning system - the next major cut at the vehicle supplier. After the company vacation, the layoffs began at the company. "We don't know where we're going to get work. I'm already looking forward to every truck we produce," says Helmut Emler, head of the workers' works council.

Mayor Markus Vogl speaks of a "worrying situation": "There is a lot of uncertainty among the employees." He therefore called for an industry summit with the federal government, state, AMS and social partners at the end of July: "We need everyone around the table to develop future prospects for the site."

One month later, little progress has been made in finding a date. A summit meeting in Steyr is only realistic after the national elections, which will take place on September 29.