Unions have submitted an alternative plan to steelmaker Tata aimed at saving thousands of jobs at its Port Talbot steelworks in south Wales.
Tata Steel wants to decarbonise its Port Talbot plant in South Wales to secure its future. The plant is the biggest polluter in Wales and the Indian company has agreed a £500 million UK government grant to help implement its £1.25 billion plan to decarbonise the plant.
Unions fear the company’s plan to use electric arc furnaces instead of its current gas blast furnaces will lead to the loss of about 3,000 jobs. Through independent consultancy Syndex, they have developed an alternative plan for the Port Talbot site, which is now submitted to Tata.
TUC general secretary Paul Novak said: “A just transition to net zero can only be achieved with the participation of workers.” It is unacceptable that steel unions are excluded from negotiations between ministers and Tata Steel over Port Talbot.
“The agreement between Tata Steel and the government is a bad deal for workers, the steel industry and the country. This will lead to massive job losses, further erosion of the UK’s industrial capacity and failure to create the jobs of the future that we so desperately need.
“The Community, Unite and GMB are developing a better plan – one that protects jobs, drives industrial recovery and delivers on the UK’s net-zero emissions pledge. It is time for ministers and Tata Steel to step back, sit down with the unions and commit to delivering this serious plan to secure the future of steel production in Port Talbot.”
Charlotte Brampton-Childs, national spokesperson for GMB, said: “Trade unions have always said Tata’s plan is unworkable – let’s hope the company is starting to realize that.”
“The alternative plan developed by Syndex is credible and feasible and will ensure low carbon steel production in South Wales and further down the supply chain.
“Tata, the government and the unions must now work together to achieve this.”
A Tata Steel spokesman said: “Tata Steel, its worker representatives and the UK and Welsh Governments are committed to moving towards greener steel production in the UK.”
“While we acknowledge the understandable concerns of many of our stakeholders, we are confident that we can build a sustainable, low-carbon business that continues to support steel communities and underpin the UK’s future green economy.”
“We welcome the opportunity to discuss the UK Steel Committee report and the independent analysis it contains. We will carefully consider this matter before formally consulting with our employee representatives and ensure that these discussions are conducted in a transparent, productive and meaningful manner.”
Earlier this month, Tata Steel reported a quarterly loss of INR 65.11 billion (£628 million) due to costs to restructure its UK operations, lower sales and falling prices. Port Talbot produced around 2.8 million tonnes in 2022, but is expected to rise to more than 3 million tonnes this year.
Source: I News
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