Union leaders meet to discuss Corus job cuts
THE three main steel unions Communuty, GMB and Unite meet later today in Scunthorpe to discuss their response to the decision by Corus to axe a total of 866 jobs from the town's steelworks.
The National Steel Committee is expected at the meeting at the town's Redbourn Social Club to reaffirm its opposition to any compulsory redundancies.
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Union leaders are to meet to discuss Corus job cuts.
Corus chiefs in Scunthorpe have already started seeking volunteers for redundancy to help the company save £72-million by next March.
But skilled and key workers have been told they will not be considered for voluntary redundancies.
The unions are also due to discuss possible plans for a Save Our Steel rally in Scunthorpe and a mass meeting of the town's 3,500 trade unionists.
This Saturday, a delegation of steelworkers will join their colleagues on Teesside for a similar march in Redcar.
Last week Scunthorpe steel boss Sean Lyons said he could give 'no guarantees' there would be no more job losses on the town works.
Speaking to the Telegraph, My Lyons said he was still optimistic about steel-making in the town.
Mr Lyons, a former apprentice who was appointed as site director in June last year, said: "All we are doing is trying to resize the cost base of the organisation to match the order load that we see going forward.
"So therefore I can't guarantee things but I would love to think it was the end of it."
Mr Lyons said Corus originally expected the downturn in business would last for six months back in November but said that has not happened.
He said: "Our latest forecasters are suggesting it will take us years to come back to the level of 2008, so it is not possible for me to guarantee things."
When asked when he thought the industry would get back to back to profit making he stated: "When we get the right volumes and the right prices.
"The disappointing thing is the prices we have had, have really dropped we are getting half the amount that we were a year ago and of course it is very difficult to sustain that," said Mr Lyons.
"What we need is a bigger stimulus to demand capacity in works' steel, who knows what that might bring.
"Here in the UK a lot of our products do end up in the UK. It would be great to see some government based demand stimulus but I don't know whether they can do that or not."
Stay logged on to www.thisisscunthorpe.co.uk for updates on today's meeting.
22 Comments
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by g, scunny
Wednesday, July 15 2009, 6:37AM
“The ministers have already said, they will not do anything except retraining, steel making is gone and they have accepted it, all out strike, get the backing of the dockers and dont handle any incoming steel, especially from India.”
by Topspec, C.E.S the higher spec end
Tuesday, July 14 2009, 6:32PM
“Wind turbines involve a lot of Low Carbon Stainless and High Chrome Bearing Steel.What you need is someone to order a a new Battleship.”
by Paul, Ashby
Tuesday, July 14 2009, 12:45PM
“What we need is to sell more steel. If we have to have those wind farms, why not build them out of BRITISH STEEL made in Scunthorpe?”
by IRONMAN, REDCAR
Tuesday, July 14 2009, 10:39AM
“I feel that striking is walking into their hands. The government should be more involved, after all they are the ones who take the biggest cut from our pay. If you would like more info or suggestions please email. number10pet@ntlworld.com”
by Howmuchmoredoyouwannatake, Scunny
Tuesday, July 14 2009, 5:19AM
“Striking is a last resort, but it epitomises the way the guys on the shop floor are feeling right now, how much more of the spin & bull are we to take, do we do nothing and let Corus/Tata run riot over us, or are we going to actually make a damned fight about this, tell them enough is enough, they have suckered the unions for years, who have pussyfooted around for so long, time to get your act together before it's too late! Industrial action of the highest order is what it is going to take for someone to take notice, enough is enough...”