Union Warns Ministers Over Scunthorpe Steelworkers

Unite the union has warned government ministers that a failure to allow UK steelworkers to compete on an even playing field would leave Scunthorpe steelworkers who were making huge sacrifices to secure the industry "high and dry".

The warning follows the announcement of a sale and purchasing agreement between Tata Steel and Greybull Capital over Tata's Scunthorpe steelworks and the remainder of its Long Products Europe division.

Unite said the imminent deal was a testament to the workforce and demonstrated that steel production in the UK can have a future if the government "stepped up to the plate".

As part of the deal to secure 4,400 jobs, workers are being asked to accept a one year pay cut of 3% and changes to their pension scheme. Unite is recommending members vote to accept the changes in a ballot due to close on 19 April ahead of the formal sale of the Scunthorpe steelworks.

Commenting Unite convenor for Tata Steel Scunthorpe, Martin Foster, said: "This announcement is good news and brings us within touching distance of securing a future for steelmaking in Scunthorpe. It should not be forgotten though that many workers have already lost their jobs at Scunthorpe and those that remain are making huge sacrifices with their pay and pensions to secure their jobs.

"Unite is asking our members to back the deal, but government ministers must now play their part too. The government cannot now leave Scunthorpe's steelworkers high and dry and must take decisive action to allow them to compete on an even playing field with their global competitors.

"This means supporting steelworkers by ensuring infrastructure such as HS2 and defence projects are built with British steel, as well as tackling the dumping of cheap imports and high energy costs, which is leaving steelworkers fighting with one hand tied behind their backs."