TIME is running short for Tata and the government to negotiate saving steel jobs at Port Talbot, unions have warned as Labour was urged to consider nationalising the industry.
Steel unions and the new Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds met on Wednesday to discuss the Indian conglomerate’s plans to axe 2,800 jobs this September as it transitions from blast furnaces to greener technology.
Community general secretary Roy Rickhuss said: “There’s no doubt that time is running short, and we call on Tata to engage urgently in meaningful discussions with the government to unlock greater investment and protect jobs.
“The uncertainty must come to an end, and our members need and deserve to know what their future holds.”
He welcomed the Labour government’s commitment to negotiating the “best possible deal” with Tata and that its pledge to implement its £3 billion steel investment fund will form the basis of the ongoing negotiations.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the meeting was “extremely positive” and that Mr Reynolds understands the need to secure the future of steel making in Britain.
She said: “We are at a critical first stage but the extra investment now secured and the change of attitude from this new Labour government could be the game changers in making this happen.”
Tata will close the second of its Port Talbot blast furnaces in September, citing losses of £1 million a day.
Mr Reynolds told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast: “There is a lot more that this deal could do. I know it’s going to be difficult, but I think I’ve got to try.”
He accepted that Tata’s position had been “very unmovable” on delaying the proposed closure date of the second blast furnace, saying that the talks were about “more than just the future of that last remaining blast furnace.”
Plaid Cymru called for the nationalisation of steel as it accused Labour of a lack of clarity over what its jobs-saving plan is.
The party’s economy and energy spokesman Luke Fletcher MS said: “We need to know what Labour are offering that the Tories couldn’t.
“We know that they have said that there is more money on the table, but we know that this is not enough.
“Now if both Labour governments are committed to keeping the blast furnace open and if Tata is unmovable on this there is only one option.
“They must consider nationalisation of the steel works.”
