 "Tata Steel UK exit: Trade unions call for nationalisation")
Amid Tata Steel's plans to exit its loss-making UK business, trade unions asked British Prime Minister David Cameron to save the crisis-ridden sector and demanded nationalisation of the mills.
Tata Steel, the second largest steelmaker in Europe, announced plans to sell UK business as it battles to control its "deteriorating financial performance", almost a decade after it bought steel giant Corus for over $14 billion.
Commenting on the "uncertain future" of Tata Steel UK, Britain's biggest trade union Unite's General Secretary Len McCluskey today said: "The growing chorus of calls for renationalisation cannot be ignored by the Conservative government."
"We are now in the grip of an industrial crisis. Decisions taken in the days to come will determine not just the future of 19,000 workers and their families, across 14 sites, but the very success of this government's own economic programme," he said.
This is the time for the government to say categorically that these assets will be taken into safe-keeping because without them the economy will not flourish, McCluskey said.
"The unity of voices, from business to government, to say that temporary nationalisation is the way forward must not be ignored. This helped save the Scottish plants. It has ensured that the Ilva plant in Italy survived. It must be deployed for the rest of the Tata operation," he demanded.
Community, the largest trade union in UK steel industry, called for an urgent meeting with the British Prime Minister.
Its General Secretary Roy Rickhuss, who held extensive talks with Tata Steel Board in the last two days in Mumbai, said the UK is now on the verge of a national crisis.
Tata Steel withdrawing completely from the UK risks destroying the entire steel industry. That would be a disaster both for those communities reliant on steel jobs and Britain's entire industrial base, he feared.
"Today, I am calling on David Cameron to meet with me urgently to discuss how his government and my union can work together to safeguard future of our steel industry. Community stands ready to play our part in averting that national crisis - the Prime Minister must now stand up and play his role too," he said.
Meanwhile, in a joint statement, the UK and Welsh Governments said: "This is a difficult time for workers in Port Talbot and across the UK. During the review process, we remain committed to working with Tata and the unions on a long term sustainable future for British steel making.
"Both the Welsh and UK governments are working tirelessly to look at all viable options to keep a strong British steel industry at the heart of our manufacturing base.
Tata Steel, the second largest steelmaker in Europe, announced plans to sell UK business as it battles to control its "deteriorating financial performance", almost a decade after it bought steel giant Corus for over $14 billion.
Commenting on the "uncertain future" of Tata Steel UK, Britain's biggest trade union Unite's General Secretary Len McCluskey today said: "The growing chorus of calls for renationalisation cannot be ignored by the Conservative government."
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McCluskey said the message must go out now from the Prime Minister that he will take all steps to keep steel plants functioning and people in work.
"We are now in the grip of an industrial crisis. Decisions taken in the days to come will determine not just the future of 19,000 workers and their families, across 14 sites, but the very success of this government's own economic programme," he said.
This is the time for the government to say categorically that these assets will be taken into safe-keeping because without them the economy will not flourish, McCluskey said.
"The unity of voices, from business to government, to say that temporary nationalisation is the way forward must not be ignored. This helped save the Scottish plants. It has ensured that the Ilva plant in Italy survived. It must be deployed for the rest of the Tata operation," he demanded.
Community, the largest trade union in UK steel industry, called for an urgent meeting with the British Prime Minister.
Its General Secretary Roy Rickhuss, who held extensive talks with Tata Steel Board in the last two days in Mumbai, said the UK is now on the verge of a national crisis.
Tata Steel withdrawing completely from the UK risks destroying the entire steel industry. That would be a disaster both for those communities reliant on steel jobs and Britain's entire industrial base, he feared.
"Today, I am calling on David Cameron to meet with me urgently to discuss how his government and my union can work together to safeguard future of our steel industry. Community stands ready to play our part in averting that national crisis - the Prime Minister must now stand up and play his role too," he said.
Meanwhile, in a joint statement, the UK and Welsh Governments said: "This is a difficult time for workers in Port Talbot and across the UK. During the review process, we remain committed to working with Tata and the unions on a long term sustainable future for British steel making.
"Both the Welsh and UK governments are working tirelessly to look at all viable options to keep a strong British steel industry at the heart of our manufacturing base.