Tata Steel’s Indian owners were today urged to reconsider the sale of the Scunthorpe steelworks and the rest of the UK Long Products business.
The call to think again came after steel union leaders from across Tata Steel sites in Britain met in London today to discuss their position over the sale of the European Long Products business to the Swiss-based Klesch Group.
The unions also threatened to ballot members over possible industrial action should the potential sale affect steelworkers' pensions.
The unions, Community, Unite, GMB and UCATT, called on Tata Steel management to enter into a period of meaningful consultation to examine all the options to secure the future of the whole business and the steel industry in the UK.
In a joint statement they said: "Union representatives from all Tata Steel sites were clear that they are not convinced that selling Long Products is the best way forward in the interests of the members they represent.
"The unions have engaged the Syndex consultancy as expert advisers to provide in-depth economic and industrial research on the alternatives and to test the rationale for the sale. We want Tata Steel to co-operate fully with that process.
"We understand that this process could take weeks or months and that there will be continuing uncertainty for our members, which is why we were so disappointed that Tata Steel failed to consult the unions prior to making their announcement last week.
"However, we have a duty to examine all the options in the interests of UK steel making.
"During the meeting, union representatives also raised concerns about the implications for their pensions, should a sale proceed.
"Consequently, the unions have reaffirmed their position, first established in 2009, to ballot their members for industrial action, should Tata Steel make any moves against the British Steel Pension Scheme."
Source: scunthorpetelegraph.co.uk
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