Corus union refuses lay off talks
STEEL union leaders have refused to talk with Corus over proposals to lay off thousands of employees on half-pay in the new year.
Instead the move to implement a guaranteed working week in line with the Corus sister plant in Ijmuiden, Holland, has been referred to national negotiators at the Community, GMB and Unite unions.
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CUTS: Scunthorpe's Corus steelworks.
But, as reported, the new year at the 2,000-acre Scunthorpe site will see 1,000 steelworkers facing pay cuts through reduced shifts, taking effect as late as February 1, in some areas.
Graham Brooks, the deputy chairman of the Scunthorpe works multi-union committee, said: "Management has mooted the idea of implementing a guaranteed working week.
"But there has been no discussion or debate on our side as we have referred the proposals to our national officers.
Mr Brooks said he and his colleagues were aware that as from today 6,400 Corus employees would be temporarily laid off.
"But we have yet to see how this will impact on us," he added.
The Dutch Government has agreed to give Corus a share in a 200-million Euro budget to subsidise the wages of 1,100 employees among the 10,000-strong workforce at Ijmuiden,
The money would be spread among 6,400 workers over a six-week period starting today.
For the full story, buy today's Scunthorpe Telegraph.
45 Comments
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by g, scunny
Tuesday, January 13 2009, 12:46AM
“the real plan of tata is to use the current situation to shed all jobs, temporary close the whole plant so they can then get everyone to re-apply for their jobs at indian pay and be grateful”
by Engineer, Port Talbot
Friday, January 09 2009, 1:27AM
“I hope that all plants can come through this downturn because the pound is so low against the euro the orders are starting to fill up. As it stands, the U.K can make steel cheaper than ever and all the customers are blowing the dust off their wallets. so fingers crossed all blasts will be running to full capacity soon.”
by Woody, Scunthorpe
Wednesday, January 07 2009, 10:00PM
“Let's face it, Corus (BSC) production workers have lived a charmed life with regards to pay. Pressing buttons which a monkey could do, at least monkeys wouldn't demand more money to press an extra button, after all more buttons is more fun.”
by Green Gripper, Edge of Town
Wednesday, January 07 2009, 6:09PM
“Its Ridiculous that only SHIFT people lose money / time . So many day workers / Managers / Engineers...ONE IN ALL IN !!! yeah right no wonder there is ill feeling. If you want to cut costs DO IT ACCROSS THE BOARD and stop Pissing about with half measures..that way you dont get workers resentment and you can keep up the excellent standards We have in Scunthorpe..dont 4get WORLD LEADERS..dont 4get all the awards and praises recently..so why 4get we are are ALL in the same boat ?? and not ALL departments are working less, Platemills is still Flatout...but they still have to take the cut...time the FATCATS upstairs opened their bank wallets and made 5% donation...”
by paul, Up-North
Wednesday, January 07 2009, 5:14PM
“Never mind lads, you might just get a deal like us lads in TCP, we've not looked back since you lot kicked us out of Corus-Don't remember you offering us much support at the time? Still, enjoy your time off”