Germany, July 14 -- thyssenkrupp Steel and the IG Metall union have laid the foundation for the long-term competitiveness and successful positioning of Germany's largest steel pro-ducer. Following intensive negotiations, a joint agreement on a restructuring collective agree-ment entitled 'Steel Realignment' was reached in the night from Friday to Saturday. The basis for this is the industrial concept presented by thyssenkrupp Steel's Executive Board in No-vember last year and the agreement in principle concluded between IG Metall and the com-pany in May.At the same time, both parties reached an understanding on the key elements of the opera-tional agreements required for the restructuring, such as a reconciliation of interests and a social ...