Labor Union to Meet With Tata Steel Leaders Over Layoff Reports
01/11/2016 - The United Kingdom’s Community labor union said it plans to meet with Tata Steel officials over reports that the company might lay off hundreds of people at its Port Talbot works in Wales, according to the BBC.
The BBC said there are reports that Tata may restructure the integrated steel works and let go up to one-fourth of the 4,000-member workforce there. The facility makes slabs and hot rolled, cold rolled and galvanized coils.
“These reports of potential job losses at Port Talbot should serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing steel crisis and the urgent need for government to deliver upon the agreed steps to protect this vital foundation industry,” the union said in a statement.
“(We) will be meeting with Tata Steel in the coming weeks to discuss these reports and how best we can build a sustainable steel industry together,” the union said.
Reports of pending layoffs haven’t been confirmed by the company, however.
"We have no announcements to make at present, but if we had significant news we would always tell employees first," the company told The (London) Telegraph newspaper.
The U.K.’s steel industry has been battered by low steel prices, high energy costs and a strong pound. Those factors contributed to the closure of the SSI UK’s Redcar works in Teesside, England. Tata already has announced layoffs and restructurings in its European long products business.
The company is in talks to sell that business.
“These reports of potential job losses at Port Talbot should serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing steel crisis and the urgent need for government to deliver upon the agreed steps to protect this vital foundation industry,” the union said in a statement.
“(We) will be meeting with Tata Steel in the coming weeks to discuss these reports and how best we can build a sustainable steel industry together,” the union said.
Reports of pending layoffs haven’t been confirmed by the company, however.
"We have no announcements to make at present, but if we had significant news we would always tell employees first," the company told The (London) Telegraph newspaper.
The U.K.’s steel industry has been battered by low steel prices, high energy costs and a strong pound. Those factors contributed to the closure of the SSI UK’s Redcar works in Teesside, England. Tata already has announced layoffs and restructurings in its European long products business.
The company is in talks to sell that business.
