Welsh First Minister meets Tata bosses for talks in India
Vaughan Gething is making the trip as two unions have now said they'll go on strike over planned job losses in South Wales
Last updated 10th May 2024
The First Minister Vaughan Gething will meet with Tata bosses in India later.
It comes as steelworkers have voted in favour of strike action, over planned job losses at Tata's Port Talbot plant.
Their union, Community, says 85-percent of members are in support of industrial action.
Unite has backed walkouts as well, while the GMB union is yet to announce its ballot result.
Tata’s plans to close the blast furnace are estimated to impact around 2,500 workers directly as well as around 10,000 people across the region, within the supply chain and reliant businesses.
The Welsh Government has called for a fairer, more gradual transition to greener steel production, which does not result in imminent redundancies and continues to provide the good quality British steel needed to support many of the UK’s flagship green aspirations.
Vaughan Gething said:
“Quality steel, made in Wales, is vital for the economy and security of the UK.
“We have consistently argued that there is a better deal for the industry and Tata workers that could and should be struck - securing a longer, fairer transition towards greener steel production.
“Our steel sector could and should have a strong future and stopping primary steel production now will only result in Welsh jobs and emissions being transported overseas.
“From wind turbines to cleaner cars, we know we will be using more steel, especially green steel, in the UK in the future, with significant opportunities for Port Talbot if Tata can get this transition right.
“While the window for securing this just transition may be narrow, as First Minister I promise to fight tooth and nail to protect these jobs. I will make the case firmly for keeping Welsh Tata jobs, which are vital to not only the region but the future of manufacturing in the UK.”
Following Vaughan Gething’s visit to Mumbai to meet Tata Steel bosses, Andrew RT Davies MS, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said:
“While the UK Government has put over half a billion pounds on the table to save steel jobs in Port Talbot, the only cash the Labour Welsh Government has spent is on this trip to India.
“Vaughan Gething should stop globetrotting to divert from his domestic problems and measure his support for our steelworkers in pounds and pence.”
Tata's response to further planned strike action
Tata says it is investing in a new electric arc furnace at Port Talbot which will secure thousands of jobs.
A Tata Steel spokesperson said:
"Following the announcement in January of the company's plans to invest ÂŁ1.25 billion and to restructure the UK business, we started a formal information-sharing and consultation process with our trades union colleagues, which continues in an open, collaborative and constructive fashion.
"On 22 March, we put forward a significantly enhanced, comprehensive package of support for employees impacted by the proposed transformation, which we have further added to this week - a commitment of Ă‚ÂŁ200 million.
"We are naturally disappointed that while consultation continues, some Community members across Tata Steel UK have indicated that they would be prepared to take industrial action up to and including strike action if an agreement cannot be reached on a way forward for the business and its employees.
"While the ÂŁ1.25 billion commitment with the UK Government will ensure a long-term viable future for low-CO2 steelmaking in the UK, our current business is unsustainable, reporting losses of more than Ă‚ÂŁ1 million a day.
"This investment is critical as much of our existing iron and steelmaking operation in Port Talbot is at the end of its life, is unreliable and inefficient, and it was for this reason that we had to cease our coke-making operations on March 20.
"By restructuring our UK operations we will be able to sustain the business as we transition to new electric arc furnace technology."