Unite suspends strike action at Tata Steel amid ‘a significant development’ – London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com

A planned strike by members of unite at Tata Steel has suspended strike action as there has been a “significant development.”

The industrial action was to ban overtime and stage walk out over the proposed job losses from next Monday at the Port Talbot site in South Wales.

The dispute started when Tata announced there will be almost 3,000 job losses as steel maker is planning to close two blast furnaces and turn to green arc furnaces which requires less workers.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a significant development in the battle to protect jobs and the long-term future of steel making in South Wales. Investment from Labour secured by Unite will be key to the future of the site.

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“This breakthrough would not have come about without the courage of our members at Port Talbot who were prepared to stand up and fight for their jobs. Workers were simply not prepared to stand idly by while steel making ended and their communities were laid to waste.

“It is essential that these talks progress swiftly and in good faith with the focus on fresh investment and ensuring the long-term continuation of steel making in South Wales.”

Alun Davies, national officer for Community said: “With thousands of jobs at stake, we welcome Unite’s decision to withdraw their strike action and get back around the table with their sister steel unions.

“Tata confirmed that if the strike was called off, they are ready to resume discussions on a potential MOU (memorandum of understanding) through the Multi-Union Steel Committee which is chaired by Community.

“The truth is Tata never walked away from those discussions, and at our last meeting on 22 May, all unions agreed to conclude the negotiations and put the outcome to our members.

“Community will welcome resuming those discussions, but we regret that zero progress has been made since 22 May.”