Ryan FowlerA petition signed by 30,000 individuals, urging politicians to back the UK steel industry, will be handed in at the Senedd in Cardiff tomorrow.
This forms part of Unite’s campaign to secure the future of the sector. The move follows a decision by Tata workers in Port Talbot and Llanwern to vote for strike action in response to the company’s plans to close its blast furnaces and eliminate 2,800 jobs.
The event is scheduled for 12:30 hrs on Tuesday, 23 April 2023, at the Senedd, Pierhead St, Cardiff. Steelworkers, Members of the Senedd, MPs, and members of the public supportive of the cause are expected to attend, with opportunities for photos and videos available upon request after the event.
Sharon Graham, Unite’s general secretary, commented: “The UK government’s lack of support or any long-term plan for steel is being used by Tata to push through unnecessary and destructive plans on its workers. This is an industry crucial to the economy of South Wales and to our national security which can and should have a bright future. This petition underlines Unite members’ historic vote for strike action at Tata. The public and the steelworkers know there is another better way forward. In Germany, France and the Netherlands capacity is being retained and jobs protected as the sector transitions to green steel. That can happen here too: An incoming Labour government will invest £3bn in UK steel. All Tata has to do is wait a few months.”
Ian Williams, a Tata steelworker, said: “It’s not good enough for politicians to sit by and watch the decimation of these communities, they need to stand up, take notice and start making different choices about procurement and giving taxpayers’ money to companies like Tata without significant job guarantees. The way we have been treated is quite frankly a disgrace and workers are sick of being in limbo not knowing whether they will have a job in a few weeks’ time. They have made that very clear by voting for industrial action. We are grateful for the support we have had across all parties within the Welsh government who recognise how vital the steel industry is to Wales but this goes far beyond that, the UK government need to act and they need to act now.”
