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Tata Steel UK workers to strike in dispute over pensions Tata Steel UK workers to strike in dispute over pensions
(34 minutes later)
Thousands of steel workers at sites across the UK are to go on strike in a long-running row over pensions. Around 13,000 workers are involved in the dispute, and the strike will be the first in the steel industry for 35 years. Thousands of steelworkers at sites across the UK are to go on strike in a long-running row over pensions. About 13,000 workers are involved in the dispute, and the strike will be the first in the steel industry for 35 years.
Members of four trade unions working at Tata Steel will walk out for a day on 22 June, and will ban overtime and work to rule from the middle of next week.Members of four trade unions working at Tata Steel will walk out for a day on 22 June, and will ban overtime and work to rule from the middle of next week.
The move follows votes in favour of strikes in protest at the closure of their final salary pension scheme. The move follows votes in favour of strikes in protest at the closure of their final-salary pension scheme.
Roy Rickhuss, general secretary of the Community union, said: “Tata has given us no option but take industrial action. The company has not shown any willingness to return to meaningful negotiations to find an end to this dispute. Our members are determined to stand up for their pensions. Roy Rickhuss, the general secretary of the Community union, said: “Tata have given us no option but take industrial action. The company has not shown any willingness to return to meaningful negotiations to find an end to this dispute. Our members are determined to stand up for their pensions.
“They delivered a massive vote in favour of industrial action, so that is what will happen. An overtime ban and work-to-rule will cause massive disruption to Tata’s operations and severely limit production. The company could avoid this by returning to the table.”“They delivered a massive vote in favour of industrial action, so that is what will happen. An overtime ban and work-to-rule will cause massive disruption to Tata’s operations and severely limit production. The company could avoid this by returning to the table.”
Employees could be required to retire at 60 rather than 65 under the changes being planned by Tata, which has sites in Wales, including in Port Talbot and Newport, and in England in locations such as Scunthorpe and Rotherham.Employees could be required to retire at 60 rather than 65 under the changes being planned by Tata, which has sites in Wales, including in Port Talbot and Newport, and in England in locations such as Scunthorpe and Rotherham.
Paul Reuter, national officer at Unite, said: “We are still open to talks if Tata are prepared for meaningful discussions. We have offered Tata the savings it says it needs. But the company wants to close the scheme altogether. This is not acceptable to workers, which is why industrial action will start next week.” Paul Reuter, a national officer at Unite, said: “We are still open to talks if Tata are prepared for meaningful discussions. We have offered Tata the savings it says it needs. But the company wants to close the scheme altogether. This is not acceptable to workers, which is why industrial action will start next week.”
Dave Hulse, GMB national officer, said: “It’s time Tata got back round the table and looked for a way to resolve this dispute. Our members are ready for industrial action and the company should heed the message that their workforce is delivering.” Dave Hulse, a GMB national officer, said: “It’s time Tata got back round the table and looked for a way to resolve this dispute. Our members are ready for industrial action and the company should heed the message that their workforce is delivering.”
Nick Blundel of Ucatt said: “Tata should listen to its workforce and recognise that to resolve this dispute it needs to get back round the table with the unions for meaningful discussions. Industrial action is a last resort for any union but Tata has given us no choice.” Nick Blundell of Ucatt said: “Tata should listen to its workforce and recognise that to resolve this dispute it needs to get back round the table with the unions for meaningful discussions. Industrial action is a last resort for any union but Tata has given us no choice.”
A Tata Steel spokesman said: “We have been trying to develop an affordable and sustainable pension scheme for employees so we are very disappointed by today’s announcement on a strike and industrial action. Everyone agrees that changes need to be made to resolve the challenges facing our pension scheme, which has a projected shortfall of over £2bn”. Changes were being offered which would “lessen the impact of the proposed pension changes, particularly on our longest-serving employees nearing retirement”. A Tata Steel spokesman said: “We have been trying to develop an affordable and sustainable pension scheme for employees so we are very disappointed by today’s announcement on a strike and industrial action.
“Everyone agrees that changes need to be made to resolve the challenges facing our pension scheme, which has a projected shortfall of over £2bn.” Changes were being offered which would “lessen the impact of the proposed pension changes, particularly on our longest-serving employees nearing retirement”, he said.