Ryan FowlerTalks between Tata Steel and trade unions over redundancy terms have broken down, with the company’s offers to workers at its Port Talbot and Llanwern plants described as increasingly derogatory. The collapse in negotiations comes as Tata plans to cut steel production, a move that has been met with strong opposition from workers and union representatives.
Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham expressed strong disapproval of the proposed redundancies, particularly at a time when steel demand is anticipated to rise significantly. “Unite does not accept the logic of making any redundancies when steel demand is set to rocket. We have shown that another future is possible and it is already happening in other countries,” said Graham.
Graham further criticised the company’s approach, stating, “The derogatory offers that Tata has been putting forward have just been adding insult to injury. Frankly, right now it looks like their sole interest is to pocket whatever they can get in the short-term while throwing steel workers, their communities, and the national interest on the scrap heap.”
Amidst increasing tensions, Unite has pointed to Labour’s commitment to invest £3 billion in UK steel and urged Tata to halt its plans until a potential change in government. “Tata now needs to shelve its plans and wait for a Labour government rather than stoking unrest in the lead up to the first steel strike since 1980,” Graham added.
As industrial relations sour, Unite has vowed to continue supporting its members and to prevent what it describes as industrial vandalism by Tata ahead of the forthcoming elections.
