‘No real guts for the fight’

Thousands of steelworkers from across Europe today (November 9) joined Unite steel members in a march through Brussels to protest and demand government action to defend the industry.

Speaking from the demonstration, Unite SIMA chair Anthony Simpson told UNITElive how Unite members at Tata’s Shotton plant in North Wales have been feeling since Tata put its UK business up for sale in March earlier this year.

“Morale is at an all-time low and the ongoing steel dumping issue is impacting on our ability to retain skilled workers,” he said.

However the workforce remains proud of what they do and continues to pull together in uncertain times.

“Shotton works opened in 1896 and is recognised as a world leader in its trading markets, we pride ourselves on delivering quality and we strive to succeed,” he added.

Unite members believe there are a significant number of issues that have yet to be addressed by the UK government.

“These are not new issues and the government is still displaying a very disappointing approach to engaging with our foundation manufacturing Industry,” said Simpson.

“The government’s warm words are not backed by actions and across all UK plants it is evident that there is no trust or confidence in them to deliver the support and level playing field they promised,” he added.

Simpson went on to say that the government still has no real commitment to saving the industry.

“It was evident during the PM’s visit to India this week and from the fact there was no meeting with Tata just further reiterates the new industrial strategy title within government has no real foundations and that the government has no real guts for the fight.”

He continued, “The workforce at Shotton demands the UK government takes action to support not only Shotton but all the steel plants that are still exposed to an uncertain future.”