(November 10, 2010) About 20 union representatives from Hydro's European Works Council (EWC) gathered at the company headquarters in Oslo on Wednesday for an update and discussion about the situation in Hydro's Primary Metal business area.
 |
| OUTLOOK: Hilde Merete Aasheim, head of Primary Metal, briefed members of the European Works Council on the outlook for the business area at a gathering in Oslo. (Photo: Kåre Foss) |
The European Works Council is an important meeting point between union representatives and Hydro's corporate management, providing an opportunity for direct dialogue and exchange of viewpoints and experiences.
Present were union representatives from Germany, Australia, Slovakia and Norway, together with five of the key leaders in Primary Metal.
Hilde Merete Aasheim, head of Primary Metal, gave a financial and strategic update for Hydro and the business area, an outline of the repositioning process and roadmap to competitiveness for Primary Metal, while Truls Gautesen gave an update of the ongoing ramp-up of the Qatalum aluminium plant.
She said she was pleased with the way the improvement programs were progressing, thanks to robust efforts by the organization, but said further strong efforts were necessary to restore profitability.
She further underlined that she was pleased with the safety performance during this difficult situation, although Primary Metal still is experiencing high-risk incidents and can never relax, with respect for safety being our license to operate.
"We came out of the storm, but the boat is not yet fit for the journey, and that's why our repositioning has to continue," Aasheim said.
