 "UK trade unions ask Ratan Tata to clarify Tata Steel's proposals")
The National Trade Union Steel Coordinating Committee (NTUSCC), comprising trade union representatives of Community, Unite and GMB, have strongly opposed proposals made by Tata Steel UK's management and has asked Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata to clarify the company's stance on the same.
The NTUSCC had met Tata Steel UK's management on 28 October.
"The National Officers (of trade unions) would like to stress that proposals made with regard to changes in pension scheme and future capital investment are the company’s and have not been endorsed by the trade unions at any level, nor have they been subject to change through negotiation," NTUSCC informed its members. Business Standard possesses a copy of the mail circulated internally.
"The representatives present unanimously agreed that the company’s proposals, in their current form, are not acceptable and the trade unions cannot support them," it said.
Trade unions have demanded that all workers at the UK facility must be entitled to a good pension, which provides a decent standard of living and peace of mind in retirement after a lifetime of hard work in heavy industry.
"We recognise that this continuing period of uncertainty is completely unacceptable, and we have advised the company that in light of this week’s events Tata must come forward to clarify their intentions regarding the strategic direction of the UK businesses. For more than seven months our members have gone to work each day fearing for their livelihoods and the security of their families – this cannot go on," said NTUSCC.
Tata Steel in March had announced its plan to sell off its UK operations which are loss making. The company has been in talks with Thyssenkrup for a joint-venture, but the process has lost momentum post Brexit. Now with the change of chairman at Tata Group, trade unions at UK are looking to get more visibility and assurance in terms of their job security.