Scunthorpe Steelworkers Stage Protest
They'll ask people to support their campaign in sending postcards to David Cameron asking him to 'stand up for UK steel'.
Scunthorpe steelworkers will join trade unions and councillors in staging a protest outside Tata Steel in the town today.
They'll be calling on the Prime Minister to do more to support the UK steel industry by asking people to support their campaign in sending postcards to David Cameron asking him to 'stand up for steel'.
It also comes as work continues to find a new buyer for Tata's Scunthorpe site.
Paul McBean is from the Community Union which organised today's action. He told Viking FM:
“The government needs to take action now if it wants this vital foundation industry to continue and thrive in Scunthorpe and across the UK. Our steelworks is the beating heart of industry in this area. For every job on our site there are three more jobs supported in the wider economy.
“We just want to the chance to compete and there are four things the government can do. It can start by bringing forward the compensation package for energy intensive industry. Energy costs in France and Germany can be up to 60% cheaper and a year is too long to wait for the support that the government has promised.”
“We’re a fundamental part of UK construction and infrastructure supply chains. So the government should use its procurement powers to back Scunthorpe steel.
“The Prime Minister needs to stand up for steel in Europe and around the world. We know the EU is trying to stop steel being dumped into Europe and we’ve got concerns that some imports don’t meet British standards. This government hasn’t got a great track record in supporting the EU to stop dumping.
“Finally, the government should help steel employers to work with trade unions so that together we can make sure our industry has a future.”