Today Sheffield Forgemasters, who are based in Sheffield and specialise in the production of large bespoke steel castings and forgings, announced 95 redundancies. These redundancies come as a result of reduced demand caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Responding to the announcement, Roy Rickhuss, General Secretary of Community, said:
“Clearly this is extremely worrying news for the workforce and their families, and we are engaging with the company to understand their plans and examine any alternatives that could save jobs. This announcement of 95 job cuts at Sheffield Forgemasters follows the announcement earlier this week of 70 job cuts at Outokumpu’s Sheffield operations and highlights the precarious position of the British steel industry.”
“Government must take these distressing developments as a wake-up call that more must be done to support our steel industry though this crisis so it can survive and then thrive playing a central role in rebuilding our economy. As a top priority government must press on with major infrastructure investments and take decisive game-changing action to ensure that taxpayer-funded projects like HS2 and offshore wind support British jobs and British industry.”
“Sourcing steel locally will be vital to delivering our climate change objectives whilst sustaining strategic supply chains and industrial communities across the UK. The industry can have a bright future but delivering that will require political will and the right framework of government support.”
Notes:
Community represents the workforce at Sheffield Forgemasters and is the largest and leading trade union across the UK steel industry.
For further information please contact Melantha Chittenden on 07772 146 553 or at mchittenden@community-tu.org
© Community Trade Union 2024