April 27, 2017 - MNchen, Bayern, Germany - Employees of Munich-based, multi-national industrial gas giant Linde AG (Ling De) have launched protests and marches in numerous cities throughout Germany against the planned merger between Linde AG and US competitor Praxair (PX.n). The employees and unions fear elimination of positions and reduced control over their affairs. Linde Supervisory Board Chairman Wolfgang Reitzle has been embattled for several months over the deal, which would create a $30 billion market leader and have a $1 billion synergy target, , but mounting crises also include an investigation of Reitzle by BaFin, Germanys Federal Financial Supervisory Authority, for potential insider trading that revolved around this merger. Despite no involvement whatsoever by Trump, anti-Trump rhetoric was abound, as was anti-American rhetoric as an prominent angle of their resistance to this deal. Ironically, despite citing America First at one point, the rest appeared to be Germany First rhetoric for non-acceptance of the merger. The unions and workers alluded that if a merger is ratified, they would not be cooperative..Praxair has provided assurances to Linde regarding maintainance of jobs and corporate climate and governance after early rounds of negotiations fell through over these issues. IG Metall spokespeople have indicated that the assurances dont resolve all the grievances. Steve Angel, Praxair CEO, released a video in January that assured his employees would be in charge. Praxair has approximately double the profitability of Linde. The video has since been filed with the US SEC |