This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-38224787
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Tata Steel makes commitment over Port Talbot, union says | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Tata Steel has made a commitment to secure jobs and production at Port Talbot and other steelworks across the UK, unions have said. | |
It could bring an end to eight months of uncertainty for thousands of workers who faced losing their jobs when Tata's UK business was put up for sale. | |
Community Union made the announcement following talks with Tata and other unions Unite and GMB on Wednesday. | |
But workers still have to agree to it and will be balloted in the new year. | |
A number of "significant" measures include: | |
Speaking after meeting with union representatives, Roy Rickhuss of Community said: "The past year has been incredibly difficult for steelworkers and their families. | |
"When Tata announced in March that they planned to sell the steelworks, no one knew if they would have a job by Christmas. | |
"This proposal would secure jobs for years to come and bring serious investment not just to Port Talbot but to steelworks across the UK. | |
"Reaching this stage of the process is a credit to the hard work of our members who never gave up the fight to 'Save Our Steel' - it was their jobs on the line and it has been their campaign that has brought Tata to this position." | |
But he said the pension proposal was "a serious concern", adding union representatives have agreed to ballot all members on the proposal in the new year. | |
Unite's national officer Tony Brady said the move was "a step in the right direction for our industry" but warned there was "still a lot more that government can and must do". | |
"The commitments made today by our reps must now be followed by a commitment from the government that they will hold Tata to their word and ensure jobs are protected," he said. | |
Dave Hulse, GMB's national officer, added that the unions would "continue to fight for a level playing field for our industry; for action on energy costs, on business rates, and on the dumping of foreign steel". | |
The future of Tata plants has been in doubt after it announced its original intention to sell its UK assets in March. | |
But this was put on hold as the company considered a European tie-up with German steelmaker ThyssenKrupp. | |
Almost 7,000 people are employed by Tata Steel across Wales, including more than 4,000 in Port Talbot. | |
Other plants which will benefit from the deal being reached include Llanwern, Trostre, Shotton, Corby, Hartlepool and sites in the West Midlands. |