STEELWORKERS are now facing potential cost-cutting measures to their pension fund as well as cuts in jobs.

They are being asked by Corus to decide whether or not to close the £9-billion-plus British Steel pension fund to new entrants, a plan originally announced in January.

Corus spokesman Bob Jones said "We can confirm that letters have been sent to all employees seeking their views on the pensions proposal we announced in January."

Scunthorpe's main steel union has now declared war on two fronts to protect both the pension fund and fight against any compulsory redundancies.

No dates have yet been fixed for the start of talks between the unions and the company over plans to axe up to 400 further jobs as part of a plan to save £72-million by next March.

Mick Fell, chairman of the works multi-union committee, said their normal weekly briefing with the management would go ahead tomorrow but job cuts were not on the agenda.

Corus spokeswoman Rachel Cox said: "We have nothing more to say at the moment."

The company has confirmed further talks will be held to discuss the job reductions it says are necessary to align employment costs at the site to current and future order levels.

Roy Rickuss, Community's national steel officer, has told his members the union's principle of opposing any compulsory redundancies would be maintained.

For the full story, buy today's Scunthorpe Telegraph.