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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. |
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. |