Tata Steel workers in the UK suspend strike

LONDON (Reuters) – Tata Steel workers in Britain have suspended a planned general strike and overtime ban after the company agreed to negotiations on future investment, union Unite said on Monday.

Around 1,500 Tata Steel workers at the Port Talbot and Llanwern sites were due to go on an indefinite strike on July 8 to protest against the company’s plans to close two blast furnaces and cut up to 2,800 jobs in Wales.

They had already started banning overtime on June 17.

“This is a significant development in the fight to secure jobs and the long-term future of steel production in South Wales,” said Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham.

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

(Reporting by William James, editing by Kylie MacLellan)