A SENIOR Union official and a Labour MP have travelled to Mumbai to try and influence a decision which could cost at least 5,000 jobs in south Wales.
At a meeting of Tata Steel’s Board of Directors held today (Mar 29) a decision will be taken over whether to continue investing in the loss-making Port Talbot plant, or to pull the plug and look for a buyer.
In the current economic climate, finding a buyer would not be a foregone conclusion, and there are fears that the plant could be mothballed. This would lead to the loss of around 5,000 direct jobs, and as many as 4,000 jobs connected with the industry in Wales.
General Secretary of Steel workers’ union Community Roy Rickhuss, and Stephen Kinnock, the MP for Aberavon, will attempt to convince the board to continue investing in the plant.
Mr Rickhuss said that the steel industry was ‘of vital importance’ to communities, families, and Wales in general.
“In Mumbai, I’ll be standing up for the whole UK steel industry and asking Tata to give us the chance we need to succeed,” he added. “Steel is the very foundation of our manufacturing base; even the Prime Minister has conceded that it would be simply unacceptable for Tata to end our steelmaking capacity.”
The Chair of the Port Talbot multi-union committee has also travelled to Mumbai. Alan Coombs said: “Our town was built on the steel industry. It has given us more than just jobs; it has shaped our lives and communities.
“On behalf of my town, my workmates and my industry, I will be asking Tata to back Port Talbot and the plan to save our steelworks.”
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