Yesterday, the new UK Government announced a revised plan for Tata Steel’s Port Talbot site with some improvements for the impacted workers thanks to intensive trade union campaigning including improved redundancy terms and a skills package for employees. However, industriAll Europe laments the end of primary steel production in a proud and historic steel region with up to 2,800 workers impacted.
UK trade unions insisted on changes to the original proposal, and the new plan announced by the UK Government and Tata Steel, now includes minimum redundancy payments and retention payments with paid training opportunities. However, trade unions insist on solutions for all workers and continue to call for proper investment in the UK steel industry including the option to move to Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) production in the future to ensure that primary steel making remains in the UK.
Judith Kirton‐Darling, General Secretary for industriAll Europe, said:
“For years, UK steel workers have called for real investment in the industry to ensure that decarbonisation does not lead to deindustrialisation. Even voluntary redundancies means the loss of thousands of skilled workers and it is essential that job-to-job transitions are found for all impacted workers. No worker should be left behind.’’
The new UK government continues to commit to £500 million for the construction of the new Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) but has included stricter social conditionalities such as for Tata to retain 5000 jobs across it UK businesses. Thanks to pressure from UK trade unions, the Government also announced that a new strategy for the steel sector would be published in Spring 2025 with a £2.5 bn investment fund and hopes to create new green steel activities and jobs.
Judith Kirton‐Darling, added:
“The promise of 500 new jobs linked to the construction of the new Electric Arc Furnace is welcome but it simply isn’t enough. We support our UK affiliates’ demand for a proper UK steel strategy as part of a wider industrial strategy that puts workers at its centre and ensures a Just Transition for all. Any new jobs, while welcome, must be good quality jobs with decent conditions and good industrial relations from day one. We continue to call on the UK Government and Tata Steel to engage with trade unions to find solutions for all workers and to work towards new technologies to keep primary steel making in the UK.’’