Talks over more Corus job cuts
CRISIS talks are to start after Corus revealed the axe is hanging over even more jobs at the Scunthorpe steelworks.
The announcement comes after union chiefs scrapped a crucial ballot over plans to save the company £72-million.
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UNDER THREAT: A Corus worker leaves the Scunthorpe steelworks, where more jobs could be lost. PICTURE: Richard Addison
The new bombshell comes just a week after the steel giant announced a shock move to axe 500 jobs in Scunthorpe, a move which angered unions who insist they were not given advance warning of the move.
As a result, unions cancelled a ballot which would have seen 3,500 steelworkers vote on whether to accept the plan to cut costs by putting their salaries and bonuses on the line or face 'hundreds' of job losses.
A Corus spokeswoman last night told the Telegraph: "We need to discuss the job reductions necessary to align employment costs at the Scunthorpe site to current and future order levels."
Mick Fell, the chairman of the Scunthorpe works multi-union committee, who headed a 10-strong delegation in London to discuss the ballot on Wednesday, said they decided to cancel the ballot because they were kept in the dark over last week's job cuts.
He added: "This resulted in the proposal to be balloted upon had become flawed.
"The outcome of our discussions in London was that the ballot could not possibly continue."
In a statement last night, Corus stressed the unions had agreed to work with management to find alternatives to job cuts at local level through the NFA which was signed in March.
But because of the economic climate, the framework was abandoned, Corus said.
In its statement, Corus added: "Further meetings between Corus managers and trade union representatives will now take place to discuss the job reductions necessary to align employment costs at the Scunthorpe site to current and future order levels."
For the full story, buy today's Scunthorpe Telegraph.
37 Comments
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by Mudd, Corus
Monday, July 06 2009, 10:31AM
“The government have no use for the traditional industries and have, successively, placed the fortunes of this country on the shoulders of the financial services industry.
We all know where that has led!
How many trillions have been poured into the banks so that the executives can resume paying bonuses to themselves while laying off 1000's of ordinary workers. The financial industry has been shown to be nothing more than a giant casino full of compulsive gamblers who have other peoples money to play with.
The time has come to show the political class that they are the servants of the electorate and not the other way around.”
by John, At home relaxing
Saturday, July 04 2009, 11:44PM
“I'm working 6/2 weekend on me 10 days off.... Roll on Monday.
:-)”
by andrew, scunthorpe
Saturday, July 04 2009, 6:38PM
“as a loyal corus worker of many a year,i am dissapointed in corus.i dont want to see my fellow wokmates lose their jobs ,but we have to look in the real world.it makes sense that if a company are losing money there has to be cuts,so the only thing to do is cut the workforce.so my workmates should realise this..after all its not the end of the world..and dont worry lads the bonuses will still be paid in our wages as normal .AJ.”
by Gary, here and there
Saturday, July 04 2009, 5:30PM
“So the company signed the framework agreement with the unions, but pulled the plug without consulting the union first and cut 500 jobs. In their statement long products management stated that white collar workers were not part of the framework agreement so this decision had to be taken. Well i beg to differ as white collar workers were invited to the presentations and were going to be ballotted the same as the FEP guys. Management by their actions tried playing white collar and FEP against each other. well it failed and we must stand firm, give nothing away and if we fall at least they go down with us and into the history books as the men whom not only killed an industry but also a town called Scunthorpe. thanks Dryden and Lyons”
by wiggy, scunthorpe
Saturday, July 04 2009, 2:46PM
“caz. the prat is probably unemployed screwing the social for everything he can get.He's probably better off than us. i know exactly how you feel as i'm on the works and have been for the last 20years.”