STEEL unions took their fight against job losses at Tata Steel’s Port Talbot plant to Parliament today as steelworkers protested in Westminster.
Tata Steel has said it would close both blast furnaces, with the loss of 2,800 jobs, and ignored trade union plans to save the production of primary steel in Britain instead of building a new electric arc furnace to recycle used steel.
The protest took place before the Welsh affairs select committee questioned company executives.
Union leaders also gave evidence along with Welsh Economy Minister Vaughan Gething and Welsh Secretary David TC Davies.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite has secured a commitment from Labour that it will invest £3 billion in UK steel and provide serious investment in Port Talbot.
“The current government must act in the national interest and provide similar guarantees to save jobs and maintain capacity at Port Talbot to allow for the industry’s future growth.
“Tata must also listen to Labour’s call not to make any irreversible decisions until after the general election later this year.”
Speaking in the Commons during Wales questions, shadow Welsh secretary Jo Stevens said: “Tata workers I met last week know the virgin steel they make is vital to supporting our renewable energy aspirations, like offshore wind in the Celtic Sea.
“The loss of 3,000 jobs is a kick in the teeth for our proud, skilled Welsh steel workers, it will devastate local economies and the sovereign steel-making capacity that would build the wind turbines we need.”
Protests will continue tomorrow in Port Talbot as hundreds of “Steel Not For Sale” signs are put up across the town.
Port Talbot resident Jody O’Brien said: “This isn’t just about job losses in the steelworks, this is an attack on our community.
“Tata need to rethink its decision to cut these jobs and think about the wider impact on the people of Port Talbot.”
The town’s opposition to the plans put forward by Tata and the government comes as the three steel unions’ campaign to secure a long-term future for Britain’s steel industry intensifies.
