TATA STEEL WORKERS ON BRINK OF FIRST NATIONAL STEEL INDUSTRY STRIKE IN 30 YEARS

Tata Steel workers across the UK have voted by almost 9-1 to go on strike in a row over pensions.

The Community union, the biggest in Tata, announced its result of a ballot on industrial action last Friday. The dispute is over proposed changes to pensions which could see employees retiring at 65 instead of 60.

GMB and Ucatt members also voted to strike. Unite members are still voting and will do so until this Friday. The four unions represent 17,000 steel workers.

Roy Rickhuss, General Secretary of Community, said: “We stand on the brink of the first national strike in the steel industry for over 30 years.

“This is not where we wanted to be but Tata now has an opportunity to end this dispute by removing the threat of scheme closure and discussing alternative measures. Community’s members at Tata Steel have now spoken loud and clear. Steelworkers are determined to stand up to Tata.

“We will begin to consult our members on the kind of action that they want to take.”