Community has blasted Tata Steel’s decision to reject the Multi-Union Plan for Port Talbot – the credible alternative to the company’s bad deal for steel.
A delegation of Tata Steel executives informed steel unions of their decision at a meeting today, outlining that they would be rejecting the plan – which had been endorsed by industry experts, the Labour Party, and MSs from all political parties in the Senedd – on cost grounds.
Community General Secretary Roy Rickhuss said:
“It’s incredibly disappointing that Tata have chosen to reject the Multi-Union Plan, which is an ambitious and viable alternative to their destructive bad deal for steel.
“We do not accept the company’s assertion our plan was too expensive – in fact, it would have returned the company to profits, and the additional capital expenditure needed to make it a reality could have been funded by an additional £450m from the government – a drop in the water compared to what other European countries are investing in their domestic steel industries.
“Tata have made their decision, and our members will decide on our collective response. Tata made a proposal to negotiate a package with the unions to give us firm assurances on jobs and future investment, and we will consult our members on how we proceed.
“We want to make one thing absolutely clear to the company: this isn’t over – not by a long shot. We will never stop fighting for our jobs, our industry, and our proud steel communities.
“At this critical moment, we urge all our members in Tata Steel to vote ‘Yes’ and ‘Yes’ in our ongoing ballot for industrial action to help us negotiate an extension of blast furnace steelmaking at Port Talbot, secure the volume for downstream sites like Llanwern and Trostre, and guarantee there will be no compulsory redundancies.”
Community Assistant General Secretary Alasdair McDiarmid said:
“Tata have made a serious mistake in rejecting the credible, expert-backed Multi-Union Plan. Today’s announcement confirms that this was never about what was best for the steel industry, the country or the long-term future of the business: it was always about short-term cost-cutting.
“With their decision today, Tata have missed an historic opportunity to commit to a bold and ambitious future based on transformative strategic investment. We will continue to call on the company to change course, and a clear mandate for industrial action in our ongoing ballot will only strengthen our hand in negotiations. That’s why we urge our members in Tata Steel to vote ‘Yes’ and ‘Yes’.
“Our resolve to oppose Tata’s bad deal for steel – a plan which would be bad for jobs, bad for the environment, bad for national security, and devastating for our communities – has never been stronger.”
Community’s National Officer for Steel Alun Davies said:
“This is an incredibly disappointing day for Tata steelworkers who have been betrayed by a company which owes them so much. It is disgraceful that Tata Steel have chosen to pursue a discredited, bargain basement deal over a viable plan for decarbonisation which would protect jobs and preserve the country’s primary steelmaking capacity.
“I know that many of our members will be feeling dejected and anxious today, so it’s vital we stick together to look after one another in these uncertain times. It’s also vital that we take a stand together and send a message to Tata that we will not go quietly into the night. As someone who has had the privilege of working at Port Talbot and Llanwern, I know first-hand how steel is part of our lifeblood here in South Wales. If the company think that we’ll let them trample over our industry and our communities now, they really don’t know us at all.
“For that reason, I am urging colleagues at Tata to vote ‘Yes’ and ‘Yes’ to industrial action in our ballot so that our union can secure the best outcome for all members. We have an opportunity now to take a stand and be part of history in the fight for the future of our industry.”
Community is currently balloting its members in Tata Steel on industrial action, with the ballot result expected on May 9th. Industry experts Syndex’s updated final response to Tata Steel’s proposals and the Multi-Union Plan is available to read here.
Community is the steelworkers’ union. More steelworkers are members of Community than any other union, and we represent the vast majority of workers impacted by Tata’s decarbonisation plans. We have a history dating back over a century, representing members and campaigning to protect Britain’s steel industry. We are a modern trade union, campaigning for a better working world.
If you are a member of Community and need advice or support, please contact our Service Centre at help@community-tu.org or on 0800 389 6332.
© Community Trade Union 2024