Thousands of workers could be at risk of losing their jobs as steel giant Tata plans to shut down blast furnaces at its Port Talbot plant.
It is thought that more than 3,000 jobs could be lost as Tata plans to cut the jobs to press ahead with proposals for a greener form of steelmaking.
Most of the job losses are expected to take place at the Port Talbot plant in South Wales, which could have a huge impact on the local economy.
The job losses come as Tata plans to produce steel in a more environmentally friendly way, by using electric arc furnaces which need fewer workers. Tata is said to be making the changes, with the backing of the government to cut emissions and stem financial losses.
The Port Talbot plant is the largest steelworks in the UK and currently employs 4,000 of the company’s 8,000-strong UK workforce. The move would see 75 per cent of workers lose their jobs.
A Tata Steel spokesperson previously said:
“We have recently announced a joint agreement between Tata Steel and the UK government for a proposal to invest in [a] state-of-the-art electric arc furnace steelmaking in Port Talbot.
“We are committed to meaningful information sharing and consultation with our trade union partners about the plan to develop sustainable steelmaking in the UK and to find solutions for concerns they may have.
“While those discussions are ongoing it would not be appropriate to comment further.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:
“I know first of all that it will be a worrying time for everyone affected, and because it’s a commercially sensitive matter, and people appreciate there’s a limit to what I can say.
“But what I can tell you is we are absolutely committed to steelmaking in the UK and that’s why the Government provided half a billion pounds to support Tata.
“The alternative, by the way, was it, the entire plant, will be closed and all 8,000 jobs will be lost, but the Government worked with the company.
“The company is investing more money in order to safeguard thousands of jobs, and that’s something that the UK Government has done.”
But the decision to close the blast furnaces has been criticised by unions and local MPs after the company rejected alternative plans.
Stephen Kinnock, Labour MP for Aberavon, home of the Port Talbot steelworks urged Tata and the government to reconsider the plans.
He said: “[The plans] will cause the job losses of 3,000 hard-working men and women, each of whom have dedicated their lives to an industry which underpins Britain’s automotive industry, railways, defence sector, consumer goods, construction, wind turbines and so much more.”
Unions are now in the process of consulting their members on how to respond to job losses, with industrial action not being ruled out.
Further reading
Settlement agreements and redundancy – Oakwood Solicitors
WHAT TO DO NEXT
Get in touch today for a no-obligation consultation. Choose one of the methods on the right-hand side of this page, or call us on 0113 200 9720 to find out how we can help you.
Thousands of workers could be at risk of losing their jobs as steel giant Tata plans to shut down blast furnaces at its Port Talbot plant. It is thought that more than 3,000 jobs could be lost as Tata plans to cut the jobs to press ahead with proposals for a greener form of…
What is Workplace Bullying?
On the surface, "What is workplace bullying?" seems like an obvious question. Bullying can involve verbal disagreements and arguments, but it can also be more subtle.
Oth…
View
Workplace Grievance FAQ
Raising a grievance can be daunting depending on your individual circumstances. With this in mind, we have answered a few common questions on the subject in this workplace grievance FAQ.
&nb…
View
Workers can sue for stress without formal diagnosis, judge rules
Employees who suffer from work-related stress can sue their employers for disability discrimination, even if they have not been diagnosed with a mental illness, an …
View
