PORT TALBOT steelworkers will likely strike if Tata Steel closes the site’s blast furnaces before transitioning into alternative greener technology, a Unite union rep has told the Morning Star.

Bosses from the Indian conglomerate face questioning from MPs tomorrow  after confirming plans to close the south Wales plant’s furnaces, resulting in up to 2,800 jobs losses and a further 300 potential redundancies at another site in Llanwern.

Tata’s decision to close its blast furnaces — along with a parallel decision by Chinese-owned British Steel in Scunthorpe — has raised concerns among MPs as it would leave Britain unable to make primary steel directly from iron ore.