Tata Steel workers in Britain have called off their imminent all-out strike and overtime ban. This move came after Tata Steel warned that it would expedite the closure of its two blast furnaces in the country if the strikes went ahead. The strike, initially scheduled to start on July 8, was organized in response to Tata Steel’s announcement to shut down the blast furnaces and eliminate around 2,800 jobs.
The affected workers, based at the Port Talbot and Llanwern sites in Wales and represented by the Unite union, had already initiated an overtime ban on June 17. They intended to escalate their actions with an indefinite strike.
However, the union has decided to pause all industrial action following the company’s confirmation that it is willing to enter discussions regarding future investments in its operations, rather than solely focusing on job redundancies.
Tata Steel Workers Halt Strike as Talks Begin on Future Investments
Unite’s General Secretary, Sharon Graham, described the development as significant for the protection of jobs and the long-term future of steelmaking in South Wales. She emphasized the importance of progressing these talks swiftly and in good faith, with a particular focus on fresh investment and ensuring the continuity of steel production in the region.
A Tata Steel spokesperson welcomed the suspension of the strikes, expressing confidence in maintaining appropriate staffing levels to operate safely. Consequently, the company has halted its preparations for the early closure of operations at Blast Furnace 4 and other related activities in Port Talbot. The company had also previously threatened legal action to challenge the validity of the union’s strike ballot.
Moving forward, the discussions between Tata Steel and the union will center on future investments and the business’s long-term goals, without renegotiating the existing plans for heavy-end closures or the terms of enhanced employment support.
Tata Steel, which employs over 8,000 people in Britain, has highlighted that its current steelmaking assets are nearing the end of their operational life, are unstable, and incur unsustainable daily losses of £1 million.
