‘Sort this now’

Steel union leaders are set to meet today (April 4) to discuss the steel crisis in an effort to save thousands of jobs.

“After a tumultuous few days this will be the first time representatives from all the steel unions from across Tata Steel can come together to discuss the industrial crisis facing the industry,” said Tony Burke, Unite assistant general secretary.

Shop stewards from steelworks across the country will join them at the TUC headquarters to help prevent Tata Steel’s Port Talbot plant from closing.

“They will be doing so with a determination to fight for their industry, their communities and to save our steel,” said Tony.

“But if they are to be given a fighting chance then the government and Tata need to come clean on their intentions and prior discussions, because so far all we’ve had is more questions than answers,” he added.

The meeting comes amid reports that the brothers behind the Greybull investment firm are putting the finishing touches to a buy-out of Tata’s Scunthorpe steelworks and tycoon Sanjeev Gupta is believed to have had initial talks over the potential purchase of the Port Talbot plant.

Tata Steel UK decided last week to pull out of the UK after rejecting a turnaround plan for Port Talbot, the nation’s biggest steelworks.

“The Prime Minister needs to get a grip on the situation and bring everyone involved together to sort this out now,” Tony said.

Business minister Sajid Javid has faced calls to stand down if a buyer is not found for the Port Talbot plant after he admitted being caught unawares by Tata’s withdrawal from UK steel.

“Right now 40,000 workers in the steel industry and the further supply chain are staring down the barrel of a gun,” added Tony.

Pension liability will be crucial in securing a buyer. Whoever buys the plant will be taking on pensions for 140,000 pensioners. A solution would be for the government to take over the pension book like it did for Royal Mail.

“The apparent lack of urgency from Sajid Javid and absence of a clear plan from the government is disturbing for the tens of thousands whose livelihoods hang in balance and deeply troubling for British Steel’s 140,000 pensioners,” said Tony.

“This government has had no industrial or manufacturing strategy from day one. They must now secure the plants, the jobs and steels future,” he added.