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Tata Steel makes commitment over Port Talbot, union says 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.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.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.Community Union made the announcement following talks with Tata and other unions Unite and GMB on Wednesday.
But workers still have to agree to pensions changes and will be balloted. Tata said it marked "an important step forward" for its future.
First Minister Carwyn Jones welcomed the commitment, as he announced a £4m Tata skills programme to "support" the company in Wales.
A number of "significant" measures include:A number of "significant" measures include:
But workers still have to agree to pensions changes and will be balloted.
Speaking after meeting with union representatives, Roy Rickhuss of Community said: "The past year has been incredibly difficult for steelworkers and their families.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."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."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.""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.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.
'Continue to fight'
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".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."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".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".
Tata Steel confirmed it had reached an agreement with trade unions on a number of proposals.
It said the measures would "would structurally reduce risks and help secure a more sustainable future for its UK business".
Koushik Chatterjee, group executive director Tata Steel and executive director for its European business, said: "There is much more work to be done to make Tata Steel UK more financially sustainable.
"But I am confident that all stakeholders will do all they can to try to ensure that the company will be able to achieve its plan in the coming months and years."
He added: "The trade unions and the company have worked hard to reach today's agreement and I would like to thank them for their efforts and seek their continued support in the future.
"We look to other stakeholders such as the UK government to play their part in addressing the UK's manufacturing competitiveness position especially with relation to energy prices."
It comes as the first minister pledged £4m from the Welsh Government for a skills and training package.
He said it would help to develop staff, improve succession planning and facilitate the transfer of skills from the mature workforce to younger employees.
"This has been a long and taxing year for the Tata employees, their families and the wider Port Talbot community," Mr Jones said.
"I am pleased there is more certainty for the future. Steel workers and their families can now look forward to Christmas and face the New Year with increased confidence and security.
"Meanwhile today's announcement also provides the much needed shot in the arm."
The future of Tata plants has been in doubt after it announced its original intention to sell its UK assets in March.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.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.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.Other plants which will benefit from the deal being reached include Llanwern, Trostre, Shotton, Corby, Hartlepool and sites in the West Midlands.