Starting from July 8, 2024, 1500 Tata Steel workers in Port Talbot and Llanwern, Wales, have announced an indefinite strike. The main reason to call this strike is due to TISCO’s plan to cut 2800 jobs and close its blast furnaces. Unite the Union, who is representing the workers, stated that this is the first major strike by UK steelworkers in over 40 years.
Industrial Action
The announcement of the strike follows a series of industrial actions. Some of these include working to rule and an overtime ban initiated earlier this week. Unite the Union said that this strike will be a direct response to Tata Steel’s “disastrous plans” to reduce jobs and shut down major operations in the UK.
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Fight for the Community
Unite the Union’s general secretary, Sharon Graham, stated that the workers are not only fighting for their jobs but are also fighting for the future of their communities and the steel industry in Wales. She further stated that the strikes will continue until Tata Steel halts its plans. Unite fully supports the workers in their historic battle. They will save the Welsh steel industry and secure its future.
Political Support and Labour Party’s Pledge
The Opposition Labour Party has also called on Tata Steel to pause its plans until after the July 4 general election, urging for talks with the newly elected government. Labour has promised GBP 3 billion for UK steel if elected and has prioritized emergency talks with Tata Steel to address the issue.
Tata Steel’s Response
Tata Steel expressed its disappointment over the strike announcement. They also had been urging the union to suspend industrial action since a long time. TISCO revealed that the closure of two old blast furnaces is part of a GBP 1.25-billion investment. This investment is for the transition to an Electric Arc Furnace at the Port Talbot steelworks.
Future Plans and Environmental Impact
Since announcing the plan earlier this year, Tata Steel has engaged in seven months of discussions with UK trade unions about the transformation. TISCO assured that the new technology would preserve 5000 jobs and would also create additional indirect jobs in engineering and construction. This will significantly reduce CO2 emissions by 5 million tonnes annually.
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Commitment to Sustainable Operations
A Tata Steel spokesperson reiterated the company’s commitment to restructuring its UK operations. This is to sustain the business and transition to new technology. The spokesperson further said that they believe in a promising future. They want to provide high-quality and low-CO2 steels that our customers in the UK and overseas need.
About the Author
Mr. Radhesh Tarang Shah is a third-year management student at the Institute of Management, Nirma University. He has a passion for writing articles and poems. He has experience as a financial analyst, author, news writer, marketer and social worker.
