ThyssenKrupp labour union, activist investor Cevian Capital call for peace

Thyssenkrupp shares rallied 9.1% on Tuesday, fueled by speculation that the company is heading for a breakup

Thyssenkrupp AG’s labour unions and activist investor Cevian Capital said they should sit down to hash out plans for the company’s future after the shock resignation of chairman Ulrich Lehner.

Talks could potentially bridge a contentious divide between investors, who believe ThyssenKrupp needs to streamline its businesses, and unions that want to safeguard jobs. The German industrial giant is facing a leadership vacuum after its chief executive officer and chairman resigned this month under shareholder pressure.

"We won’t agree to a fast carve-up of assets, but are instead interested in developing ThyssenKrupp further,” said Markus Grolms, the deputy chairman and