Unite suspends Tata Steel strike due to ‘significant development’ – London Business News

A planned strike by union members at Tata Steel has been suspended due to a “significant development”.

The aim of the industrial action was to ban overtime and introduce a gradual work stoppage as part of the planned layoffs starting next Monday at the Port Talbot site in South Wales.

The dispute began when Tata announced that nearly 3,000 jobs would be lost as the steelmaker plans to close two blast furnaces and switch to “green” arc furnaces that require fewer workers.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a significant development in the fight to safeguard jobs and the long-term future of steel production in South Wales. The Labour investment secured by Unite will be vital to the future of the site.”

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“This breakthrough would not have been possible without the courage of our members in Port Talbot who were prepared to stand up and fight for their jobs. Workers were simply not prepared to stand by and watch steel production shut down and their communities devastated.

“It is vital that these discussions progress expeditiously and in good faith, with a focus on new investment and ensuring the long-term continuity of steel production in South Wales.”

Alun Davies, national representative for Community, said: “With thousands of jobs at stake, we welcome Unite’s decision to withdraw their strike and return to the negotiating table with their sister unions in the steel industry.

“Tata confirmed that if the strike is ended, it is ready to resume talks on a possible MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) through the Multi-Union Steel Committee, which is chaired by the community.

“The truth is that Tata never broke off these talks and at our last meeting on May 22, all unions agreed to conclude the negotiations and present the result to our members.

“The community will welcome a resumption of these talks, but we regret that no progress has been made since 22 May.”