London: A steelworkers union planning to strike over Tata Steel UK's future plans for its Port Talbot plant in Wales called off its strike on Monday, saying fresh investment talks had been secured.
Unite the Union had said they would begin their strike from July 8, prompting Tata Steel UK to challenge the voting process and also bring forward a planned blast furnace closure.
The company welcomed Unite's decision not to go on strike and shelved early closure plans.
"We have received written confirmation from Unite Union that with immediate effect they will be suspending their current action barring a strike, as well as the potential strike commencing on Monday, July 8," a Tata Steel spokesperson said.
"As a result, and as we can now be confident that we will ensure adequate resources for the activities to operate safely, we will pause preparations for the early cessation of operations at Blast Furnace 4 and the broader heavy part at Port Talbot , planned for this week. We celebrate the fact that we have avoided having to go down this path,” the spokesperson said.
The company said the resumption of talks with unions will now move forward and focus on future investments and aspirations for the business, and "not a renegotiation of our existing plan for full closure or improved employment support conditions." .
"The closure process for Blast Furnace 5 has already begun to be planned and we hope to produce the final iron at the end of this week," the spokesperson added, referring to the furnace whose closure is scheduled for this week.
Unite members were on strike in protest at job losses and the effects on the local community. Other steel unions have welcomed the news, something Unite called “essential”.
“Workers were simply not willing to stand by while steelmaking ended and their communities were devastated,” said Unite general secretary Sharon Graham.
The Mumbai-based steel major had originally planned to shut down one of the blast furnaces at the end of June and the second in September. However, Unite the Union's proposed strike from July 8 raised the possibility that the closure could be forced earlier.
“We understand the impact our restructuring will have on many employees and contractors, but we remain committed to a just transition and, pending a government-backed grant funding deal, investing £1.25bn in manufacturing low CO2 steel, which will ensure Tata Steel has a long and sustainable future in the UK,” the company said, urging unions to continue negotiations.
Graham had claimed he was "fighting for the future of the steel industry" and wanted things postponed until after the July 4 general election as he claims to have secured "serious investment" from the opposition Labor Party, who leads the pre-election elections. surveys.
Unite the Union had said they would begin their strike from July 8, prompting Tata Steel UK to challenge the voting process and also bring forward a planned blast furnace closure.
The company welcomed Unite's decision not to go on strike and shelved early closure plans.
"We have received written confirmation from Unite Union that with immediate effect they will be suspending their current action barring a strike, as well as the potential strike commencing on Monday, July 8," a Tata Steel spokesperson said.
"As a result, and as we can now be confident that we will ensure adequate resources for the activities to operate safely, we will pause preparations for the early cessation of operations at Blast Furnace 4 and the broader heavy part at Port Talbot , planned for this week. We celebrate the fact that we have avoided having to go down this path,” the spokesperson said.
The company said the resumption of talks with unions will now move forward and focus on future investments and aspirations for the business, and "not a renegotiation of our existing plan for full closure or improved employment support conditions." .
"The closure process for Blast Furnace 5 has already begun to be planned and we hope to produce the final iron at the end of this week," the spokesperson added, referring to the furnace whose closure is scheduled for this week.
Unite members were on strike in protest at job losses and the effects on the local community. Other steel unions have welcomed the news, something Unite called “essential”.
“Workers were simply not willing to stand by while steelmaking ended and their communities were devastated,” said Unite general secretary Sharon Graham.
The Mumbai-based steel major had originally planned to shut down one of the blast furnaces at the end of June and the second in September. However, Unite the Union's proposed strike from July 8 raised the possibility that the closure could be forced earlier.
“We understand the impact our restructuring will have on many employees and contractors, but we remain committed to a just transition and, pending a government-backed grant funding deal, investing £1.25bn in manufacturing low CO2 steel, which will ensure Tata Steel has a long and sustainable future in the UK,” the company said, urging unions to continue negotiations.
Graham had claimed he was "fighting for the future of the steel industry" and wanted things postponed until after the July 4 general election as he claims to have secured "serious investment" from the opposition Labor Party, who leads the pre-election elections. surveys.
