Unions at British Steel in Scunthorpe call for strategy for the whole industry
It's after moves towards greener arc furnaces led to fears over jobs
Last updated 12th Jul 2024
Unions at Scunthorpe steelworks say there needs to be a full comprehensive strategy for the industry across the country
It's as British Steel plans to replace blast furnaces with a 'greener' electric arc furnace - which it's feared could lead to job losses
The Labour party previously pledged to help the industry if it got into power
Martin Foster is the Unite Trade Union Convener at British steel in Scunthorpe,
At British Steel it's been very quiet
He told us: "The ideal outcome would be a sustainable green industry that doesn't cost us thousands of jobs."
"If you look at what they do in Germany when they bring new technology along - they retrain people."
"They do have job losses in Germany but not on the same level as we have in this country."
"Obviously things have progressed at Tata Steel but at British Steel it's been very quiet."
"We're now with a new Labour Government and hoping things will gather pace again."
"Do we want the steel industry to become green?"
"Yes of course we do - do we think this is the right way to do it?
"No we don't."
I believe they are now starting to talk to the main steel companies - ourselves and Tata
"We think we should be replacing blast furnaces with other technology like DRI or hydrogen technology - which is much more environmentally friendly."
"But there seems to be reluctance - certainly with the previous Government to pursue that avenue."
"I believe they are now starting to talk to the main steel companies - ourselves and Tata."
"So it'll be interesting to see how they progress over the next few weeks or months and hope the support that was initially pledged comes to fruition."