Employees of Tata Steel in the United Kingdom are set to embark on an indefinite strike starting July 8, protesting the company’s plans to cut 2,800 jobs and close two blast furnaces at the Port Talbot steelworks in Wales. According to the Unite union, approximately 1,500 workers will participate in the strike, marking the first time in over 40 years that UK steelworkers have taken such action.
In addition to Port Talbot, the Tata branch in Llanwern will also be affected. Unite emphasizes that the strike is not only about job retention but also about preserving the future of the communities in Wales. Tata announced these plans in January as part of a restructuring program aimed at reducing losses. The company employs over 8,000 people in the UK.
The Labour party, which is expected to win in the upcoming elections, has urged Tata to halt the plans and continue negotiations with the government after the elections. Labour has promised to invest £3 billion in the British steel industry if they win.
Tata had previously signed an agreement with the British government for a £500 million aid package for the UK’s largest steel plant. Additionally, Tata is investing £700 million in modernizing production at Port Talbot. Notably, Tata Steel UK is now a separate entity from European Tata Steel, which includes the IJmuiden steel factory and has been a self-contained subsidiary within the Indian group since 2021.
