Unions confirm Tata Steel strike set for 22 June
THE UK is set to face its first national steel strike in 30 years later this month.
Unions have confirmed that Tata Steel workers will strike on 22 June, over an ongoing dispute connected to pensions.
Last week, Tata sent an open letter to employees explaining that the pension scheme had a shortfall of over £2bn, and highlighted that its UK operations were losing money.
Unite national officer Paul Reuter said yesterday: “Strike action is the last resort for our members, but they’ve signalled very clearly that they are not prepared to stand by and see the retirement they have worked so hard for, in such a physically demanding environment, robbed from them.”
Unite had previously stated that Tata’s proposals would make employees “work until you drop”.
Roy Rickhuss, chair of the National Trade Union Steel Co-ordinating Committee, and general secretary of the Community trade union, said Tata had left its members with “no option but to take industrial action”.
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.”
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 strike and industrial action.”