Shoulder to shoulder for steel

Thousands of steel workers were joined by their bosses as they marched in Brussels today (15 February) demanding action to stop the dumping of cheap Chinese steel.

About 5,000 protestors, including Unite reps, were joined by Tata Steel Europe boss Dr Karl-Ulrich Kohler and Celsa group’s boss Francisco Rubiralto.

“It is the first time bosses have stood side by side with employees to demand action on steel and it truly shows the strength of feeling over what is happening,” said Harish Patel, Unite national officer for steel who is on the march.

Protestors marched to the European Commission and European Parliament after Tory business secretary Sajid Javid blocked a Brussels move to axe the ‘lesser duty rule’ which limits import tariffs.

It meant the EU imposed a tariff of up to 13 per cent on Chinese steel which is much lower than in the US where the levy is 66 per cent.

Explanation

In a letter to the secretary of state demanding an explanation, Unite assistant general secretary Tony Burke wrote; “There appears to be little justification for this decision and it confirms our view that the government has not yet grasped the crisis affecting the UK steel industry.”

He went on to add that; “As you know the UK steel unions have fought tooth and nail for the UK steel industry, including at a European level and have fought to get the European Union to take tough action against the dumping of cheap steel, notably from China.”

“Our members working in the steel industry are at a loss to understand your government’s policy which I can only describe as breathtakingly short sighted to say the least.”

The march was organised by the European steel association, Eurofer.

It follows a brutal few months for the UK steel industry which has seen thousands of jobs lost in the wake of cheap imports and high energy costs.

Anthony Simpson, Unite SIMA Wales’s area branch and Shotton SIMA branch chair told us from the march, “Shotton Unite members are in Brussels today to march with our UK and European steel colleagues to demonstrate against the dumping of Chinese and Russian Steel.”

“The government must demonstrate and provide real support for our UK industry not just false promises and static inaction which is indicative of an impotent UK government,” he added.

Anthony told us of the fantastic turnout and positive atmosphere on the march.

“There was an excellent turnout today at the Save Our Steel rally in Brussels,” he said

“From all the European Steel companies, union affiliations,  union members, reps, officers and company managers at all levels – all standing together for our futures and uniting together for the future of the foundation of the European Manufacturing Industry which is clearly steel,” he added.