Steelworkers Call for Industry Safeguards in Scotland
Steel workers have called on the Scottish Government to help secure the future of the industry by supporting a short-time working programme'' if plant closures go ahead.
An announcement from Steel firm Tata is expected on Tuesday on the future of its plants at Dalzell in Motherwell, Clydebridge in Cambuslang and Scunthorpe in North Lincolnshire.
It is believed about 1,200 jobs are affected, including up to 400 in Scotland.
Steelmaking will effectively end in Scotland if cuts go ahead at Dalzell and Clydebridge.
Although Tata is yet to publicly confirm its plans, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has already pledged to set up a task force to seek a viable future for the plants and the industry.
Trade union Community, which represents steel workers, wants the Government's task force to support a short-time working programme'' which would keep the plants open while a long-term solution was sought.
Community's assistant general secretary John Park said: Scottish steel is facing its biggest test in a generation. These developments are hugely worrying - not only for Scottish industry - but for the communities around Motherwell and Cambuslang.
Workers in the Scottish steel industry have done everything asked of them to ensure they can compete in a global marketplace. We are in the middle of the worst slump in steel prices in living memory and it is essential we maintain our capacity to produce steel in Scotland.
We welcome Nicola Sturgeon's announcement of a steel task force, but it cannot simply be an exercise in managing decline. If the Scottish steel industry is to have a future, then Nicola Sturgeon must ensure the strategic assets at Dalzell and Clydebridge are maintained.''
Mr Park also called for a proper industrial strategy'' for the sector to be developed.
We believe these Scottish sites can be successful and we are ready to work with the Scottish Government and potential investors to secure the future of steel in Scotland,'' he said.
For steel to have that future we must secure the skills of the men and women who work in the industry. That is why we are calling on the Scottish Government to support short-time working programme should that be necessary over the coming weeks.''
Labour MSP John Pentland said: When Grangemouth, Fergusons and Prestwick Airport were at risk, the Scottish Government stepped in to provide support and to secure jobs.
They need to do the same now - anything less will not be acceptable.
This is an iconic industry for our nation and the men and women who work at Clydesdale and Dalzell deserve all possible support.
We will work together with the UK and Scottish Governments, the companies and trade unions to find a solution.''
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: Since last year, when Tata Steel first announced the potential sale of its long products division, the Scottish Government and its agencies have been in constant contact with both Tata Steel and with the trades unions.
We continue to be in contact to explore all possible options to find a viable future for the company's sites in Scotland.
In the unfortunate event of any redundancies, our initiative for responding to redundancy situations, Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (Pace), stands ready to offer support for affected employees and to work closely with the company and workforce representatives to provide a tailored package of support, should this be required.''