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Community responds to reports about Port Talbot steel future

Community, the steelworkers’ union, has today met with Hans Fischer, Tata Steel’s new European CEO. The urgent meeting came amidst reports that Tata Steel are set to pull the plug on the plan to save Port Talbot steelworks. The Tata board is set to meet in India on March 29th to decide on the future of the giant steelworks in South Wales.

Roy Rickhuss, General Secretary of Community, said:

“Today’s meeting reaffirmed the joint desire of Community and Tata Steel’s UK leadership to save the Port Talbot steelworks. The turnaround plan, which included over 1,000 job losses, has been tough to accept, but we are determined to make it work for the future of our industry.

“Reports that suggest the Tata board in India will reject this turnaround plan are deeply concerning and Community will be doing all we can to ensure the company do not go down this route. The workers at Port Talbot have achieved everything asked of them and deserve the continued support of Tata.

“The steelworks is the beating heart of Port Talbot and supports many thousands of jobs in the local economy. The ability to make steel is vital to the UK’s entire industrial base. Even the prime minister has said that it is inconceivable that a country like Britain could lose its steelmaking capacity.  The UK Government must join with us in calling on Tata to support Port Talbot and help make steel a profitable industry of the future.”

Ends.

Notes

1. Community is the largest and leading trade union at Port Talbot and across the UK steel industry.
2. For more information, contact Callum Munro on 07821250904 or Matt Ball on 07799772250.