All eyes on Mandelson on Teesside, but focus should remain on Tata Corus

18.02.10

The entire North East has turned their eyes upon Secretary of State for Business Lord Mandelson in anticipation of his visit to Teesside Cast Products (TCP) today, but the focus should remain on Tata Corus says Community Union. TCP is preparing to begin mothballing operations on Friday, making 1,600 steelworkers redundant and threatening a further 8,000 jobs in the wider economy of the North East.

General Secretary, Michael J. Leahy said:

“I’ve met with the government several times and I know that they are ready to act, but Tata Corus need to show a clear commitment to the workforce and to the local community. The government needs to know that any support is an investment in building a bridge to the future and not a bridge to nowhere.

Tata Corus have a moral and social responsibility to the workforce and to Teesside, however by continually stonewalling potential buyers and offtakers Tata Corus are signing the death warrant for more than 100 year tradition of Steel making on Teesside.’

Lord Mandelson’s visit to Teesside comes in the wake of the Community Union’s National Executive Council endorsing plans to allow Tata Corus members to ballot for industrial action in support of Teesside. This action would exclude the at-risk workforce on Teesside but may include the Teesside Coke Ovens and Beam Mill and Tata Corus sites across the country depending on the will of the members.