Port Talbot steelworkers vote in favour of strike action

Unite said its members based in Port Talbot and Llanwern had voted in favour of taking action to oppose the loss of almost 3,000 jobs.

According to a report by the BBC, Tata Steel said it was ‘naturally disappointed’ union members had indicated they would be prepared to take industrial action while consultation continued.

The company plans to replace blast furnace production at the UK’s largest steelworks in Port Talbot with EAFs.

Unite Wales regional secretary Peter Hughes said: “Tata has employed everything from bribes to threats to discourage our members from industrial action. They will not be intimidated into standing by while Tata attempts to carry out an act of devastating industrial vandalism against their jobs and communities, inflicting untold harm on the Welsh economy and the UK’s national interest."

Tata Steel said: "We have written to Unite union twice during the ballot process to notify them of significant irregularities in the ballot process they have undertaken. Our ambition remains to move forward at pace with a just transition, and to become the centre of a future green sustainable industrial ecosystem in the UK."

Tata Steel UK employs 8,000 people, with about 4,000 based in Port Talbot.

The Indian-owned company will spend £1.25bn on a new EAF, and the UK government is contributing £500m towards the total cost of the project.

Support in place for staff includes a £100m transition fund, which includes £80m from the UK government and £20m from Tata.

Source: BBC