Unite demands Tata Steel assurances over closure of Newport site

The UK and Ireland’s largest trade union, Unite said it would fight for every job and demanded that there would be no compulsory redundancies from Tata Steel after the steel maker announced the closure of its Orb electrical steels base in Newport.

Warning of another ‘body blow’ to the Wales economy, Unite said it would be holding Tata Steel’s feet to the fire over assurances that it would redeploy workers which makes components for the electrical sectors.

Tata Steel’s Orb site in Newport is part of the steel maker’s Cogent arm and employs approximately 380.

Commenting Unite officer for Tata Steel Tony Brady said: “The closure of the Orb electrical steel base in Newport is yet another body blow for the economy of Wales.

“Unite will be fighting for every job and holding Tata Steel’s feet to the fire over assurances that workers affected by today’s announcement will be redeployed.

“Unite will not sit back and allow decent well paid jobs and irreplaceable skills to go to the wall. In the coming days we will be engaging with Tata Steel and pressing for detailed guarantees.”