Union Urges Government to Tackle the Crisis in UK Steel Industry

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Leading trade union, Unite, in a letter to the UK Prime Minister, expressed its disappointment over lack of concrete plans by the government to tackle the serious threats facing the country’s steelmaking industry. The UK steel sector is in a huge crisis, with thousands of jobs at risk, it noted. The budget, announced last week, had failed to provide support to the ailing industry.

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Sharon Graham, General Secretary, Unite noted that the government has failed to declare an official policy to ensure growth of foundation industries like steel, make them more internationally competitive and protect hundreds of jobs in the sector. As a result, the UK steel industry is seen shrinking, losing its competence and risking its skilled job, the letter by Unite noted.

Unite welcomed the recently announced plans by the government to inject £600 million into UK’s blast furnaces and a transition from coal to prevent carbon emissions. However, the sum offered is nominal, when compared with the support offered by the German and French governments to their steelmakers.

The sector crisis poses threat, not only to to thousands of workers and their families across Wales, the Midlands, the north-east and beyond, but also to the communities that surround them. Furthermore, it is a threat to national security and broader industries, Unite said.