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2,000 jobs to go in Corus closure 1,700 jobs to go at Corus plant
(21 minutes later)
Steelmaker Corus has confirmed it will close its Teesside Cast Products factory, putting 2,000 people out of work. Steelmaker Corus has confirmed it will curtail production at its Teesside Cast Products factory, putting 1,700 people out of work.
It had been announced in May that the 150-year-old Redcar plant was to be mothballed.
The plant had been at risk since a 10-year deal suddenly fell through.
"This is a gut-wrenching disappointment after all the effort and the hopes won by the sheer doggedness of our workers," said Redcar MP Vera Baird.
The deal that had fallen through was signed by an international consortium, led by Italian steel specialists Marcegaglia, in 2004, and committed the consortium to buy just under 78% of the Redcar plant's production.
BBC Newcastle business correspondent Ian Reeve said the factory would close by the end of January.BBC Newcastle business correspondent Ian Reeve said the factory would close by the end of January.
It was announced in May that the 150-year-old Redcar plant was to be mothballed. Corus said that 1,700 jobs would go, which is about 600 fewer than had been previously thought.
Tata Steel's chief Kirby Adams - which owns Corus - confirmed the plant's closure to staff on Friday. Ms Baird said: "I'm furious that, after our workers won months of export orders, Corus has not been able either to get a longer term contract or to clinch a deal for the sale of the plant. I understand there are no orders and both would-be buyers have withdrawn."
The jobs had been at risk since an international consortium led by Italian company Marcegaglia pulled out of a 10-year-deal to buy the plant's steel in May. 'Devastating news'
The agreement which had fallen through was signed in 2004, and committed the consortium to buying just under 78% of the plant's production for 10 years.
Thousands took part in a march in July calling on the government to help the Corus steel plant, after workers were put on 90-day redundancy notice.Thousands took part in a march in July calling on the government to help the Corus steel plant, after workers were put on 90-day redundancy notice.
Kirby Adams, the chief of Tata Steel - which owns Corus, confirmed the plant's closure to staff on Friday.
"We are acutely aware that this will be devastating news for our employees, our contractors, their families and the local community," he said.
"We extend our sincere gratitude to all of them, as well as to the management team and the trade unions on Teesside, who have all worked night and day to try and avoid this outcome."
Corus has made about 1,000 job cuts since January, and announced it was cutting almost 2,000 more jobs at its UK plants - including Teesside as well as Scunthorpe and Rotherham - in June.Corus has made about 1,000 job cuts since January, and announced it was cutting almost 2,000 more jobs at its UK plants - including Teesside as well as Scunthorpe and Rotherham - in June.
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