Keep the business together

Unite  has responded with concern to the emerging news that Tata steel is looking to break up its remaining UK operations as it continues to seek a buyer for its businesses.

According to Unite, the country’s biggest manufacturing trade union, this is a breach of the assurances that the company gave the unions and their members, and to the UK government, earlier this year when they pledged to act as a responsible seller.

Unite also said that the mounting uncertainty about Tata’s sale plans and media briefings are only deepening the horrific uncertainty for the workforce and their families.

“We are extremely concerned that Tata appears to be walking away from their commitments to this workforce, which is to keep the business together and act as a responsible seller,” said Unite national officer for metals Harish Patel.

“Furthermore, for our members to discover that Tata is pursuing an alternative options through the media and not through the proper channels is appalling,” he added. “This workforce has been through enough trauma and uncertainty without their fates and that of their communities being communicated via briefings to the media.

“Tata now need to come clean about their plans for the remainder of their UK businesses.  They have made promises to this workforce and to the UK people.  They must not renege on these.”

Stay tuned on UNITElive as the story develops.