Tata Steel BF to stay on as Unite suspends strike

Union Unite has agreed to suspend its "indefinite" strike action which was due to start at Tata Steel site on July 8.

Tata had said it would need to prematurely close blast furnace four (BF4) this week due to safety and operational concerns if the strike went ahead. Blast furnace five is being taken down, in line with the company's earlier plan.

In a note to Unite members seen by Argus today, Unite representatives said they had decided to suspend all action, including "working to rule, overtime ban and strike action" after talks with Tata over the weekend.

"We welcome Unite's decision to withdraw their strike action and get back around the table with their sister steel unions", Alun Davies, national officer for Community Union, said.

"Tata confirmed that if the strike was called off they are ready to resume discussions on a potential MOU (memorandum of understanding), through the multi-union steel community," he added.

Tata has commenced legal action to challenge the validity of Unite's ballot and a court hearing is scheduled for 3 July, Tata Steel UK chief executive officer Rajesh Nair said in a note to Tata employees on 28 June.

Tata had met with Unite on 28 June, where the union confirmed it would provide "minimum safety cover" at Port Talbot and Llanwern during the strike, but Nair said this was "not sufficient" to allow safe operations, and the closure of the furnaces and heavy end would start this week.

However, sources expect BF4 and the steel plant will continue running now the threat of imminent strike action has been withdrawn.

By Colin Richardson