The resolution, which was agreed at a meeting of 40 Community representatives from across the country today, gives the union the formal mandate to ballot its members on strike action.
Community says it represents more steelworkers than any other union, including the vast majority of workers impacted by Tata’s decarbonisation plans.
Community Union General Secretary Roy Rickhuss CBE said: “Industrial action is always a last resort but Tata’s actions mean we now have to prepare for that eventuality. Recent statements from the leadership of Tata Steel leave little doubt the company is determined to impose its devastating proposals come what may, making a complete mockery of the ongoing consultation process.
“There is still time for Tata to change their position, but as things stand we are heading towards a major industrial dispute. Community’s senior officials have unanimously endorsed balloting our membership for industrial action, and we are preparing for that ballot to take place as soon as is practically possible.
“Tata should take note – we are prepared to fight for our industry and our communities. We will not be walking silently into the night.”
Community Union Assistant General Secretary Alasdair McDiarmid said: “Whilst the consultation on Tata’s plan is still ongoing, recent comments from the senior leadership of Tata Steel have brought that process into disrepute. It is apparent that Tata are no longer considering alternatives to their disastrous plan to install a 3 million tonne electric arc furnace, which we have always said is completely unacceptable, and we are seriously concerned the consultation is a sham.
“Tata’s attempts to misrepresent and discredit the credible alternative Multi-Union Plan have been quite frankly disgraceful. Tata must think again, and engage with us in meaningful consultations to secure a just transition and the future of Port Talbot and all the downstream sites.
“Rishi Sunak has to step up too and back our industry to the extent the German Government is backing theirs. The Multi-Union Plan has received unanimous cross-party support in the Senedd, the backing of industry experts and MPs across the house, and can be delivered if only our Government matches the ambition of our European neighbours.”
Alun Davies, National Officer for Steel at Community Union, said: “No worker ever relishes the prospect of going on strike, but we are being pushed ever-closer to that option. Tata need to know that we are serious about fighting for the future of Port Talbot and the downstream sites, a future which their plans would damage irreversibly.
“Tata’s plan represented the cheapest option on the table and it is bad for jobs, bad for the economy, bad for the environment and bad for national security. We will not accept it.
“Today’s resolution confirms our intent to ballot on industrial action if Tata are unwilling to reconsider their damaging proposals. We will not stand back and allow our livelihoods, our communities and the UK’s steelmaking capacity to be thrown on the scrap heap.”
Tata Steel have confirmed up to 2,800 potential job losses at Port Talbot, with around 2,500 roles potentially impacted during the next 18 months.
The job losses are a result of its plan to closes its blast furnace production and construction of new green steel manufacturing methods through a £1.25 billion investment in Electric Arc Furnace technology in Port Talbot and asset upgrades which the steelmaker says will secure long-term, high-quality production.
At the time of the announcement, T V Narendran, Tata Steel’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, said: “The course we are putting forward is difficult, but we believe it is the right one. Having invested almost £5 billion in the UK business since 2007, we must transform at pace to build a sustainable business in the UK for the long-term. Our ambitious plan includes the largest capital expenditure in UK steel production in more than a decade, guaranteeing long-term, high-quality steel production in the UK and transforming the Port Talbot facility into one of Europe’s premier centres for green steelmaking.”
(Lead image: Community Union)
