The central works council at IJmuiden-based Tata Steel Nederland says it will take legal action if sidelined during the process to find a successor Theo Henrar, who left suddenly last week.

According to RTL Nieuws, the works council thinks Henrar was sacked but Tata says the decision was taken jointly and there was no need to consult the council about his departure.

Hans van den Berg, the current deputy chairman of the Dutch arm, who has worked for the company for decades, is now acting CEO pending a new appointment.

Henrar, whose departure prompted a spontaneous blockade by staff, is known as a defender of the Dutch company’s interests and has campaigned against plans to shift jobs to India and further integrate the British and Dutch activities.

The Financieele Dagblad says the works council is concerned that the new chief may be a ‘puppet’ for the Indian parent company.

In April Tata Steel said it was delaying a planned reorganisation of its European arm until July at least, because of the coronavirus crisis.

The company had wanted to cut 3,000 jobs and slash costs in an effort to restore profitability. Almost 1,000 of the 11,000 jobs in IJmuiden would have been scrapped.