This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/8394871.stm

The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
1,700 jobs to go at Corus plant 1,700 jobs to go at Corus plant
(20 minutes later)
Steelmaker Corus has confirmed it will curtail production at its Teesside Cast Products factory, putting 1,700 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.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.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."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. The deal that class="bodl" href="/2/hi/business/8118584.stm">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.
Corus said that 1,700 jobs would go, which is about 600 fewer than had been previously thought.Corus said that 1,700 jobs would go, which is about 600 fewer than had been previously thought.
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 I understand there are no orders and both would-be buyers have withdrawn."Ms Baird said: "I'm furious that, after our workers won months of export orders, Corus has not been able either to get a longer term contract or to clinch a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."
'Devastating news''Devastating news'
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.
Corus said it was partially mothballing the plant, shutting its blast furnace, its steel melt shop - which makes slab - and one of the two coke ovens.Corus said it was partially mothballing the plant, shutting its blast furnace, its steel melt shop - which makes slab - and one of the two coke ovens.
It will be keeping open the wharf facility that handles imports and shipping, the other coke oven and some of the power generation capacity.It will be keeping open the wharf facility that handles imports and shipping, the other coke oven and some of the power generation capacity.
The future of the plant has been in doubt for monthsThe future of the plant has been in doubt for months
The company said operating a merchant slab plant with output of three million tonnes a year was "not sustainable" without a long-term partner.The company said operating a merchant slab plant with output of three million tonnes a year was "not sustainable" without a long-term partner.
"This is a dark day for British manufacturing," said Derek Simpson, joint general secretary of the Unite union."This is a dark day for British manufacturing," said Derek Simpson, joint general secretary of the Unite union.
"Unite will do everything possible to prevent this closure from going ahead. The government must now act to save Teesside as decisively as it acted to save the banks last year.""Unite will do everything possible to prevent this closure from going ahead. The government must now act to save Teesside as decisively as it acted to save the banks last year."
Kirby Adams, the chief of Tata Steel - which owns Corus, confirmed the plant's closure to staff on Friday.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 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.""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.
The Anglo-Dutch firm Corus was bought India's Tata Steel in 2006.The Anglo-Dutch firm Corus was bought India's Tata Steel in 2006.


Do you work for Corus? Have you been affected by this decision? Send us your views.Do you work for Corus? Have you been affected by this decision? Send us your views.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions