Corus announces major job losses at Trostre plant
The announcement by Corus this morning of major job losses at Trostre comes as a serious blow to the steel industry in Wales and especially to the local communities from which Corus draws its workforce. We regret that the company has arrived at this decision just at the time when prospects for the British steel industry as a whole are improving markedly.
The steel unions will enter negotiations with company with the determination to ensure that it fulfils its commitment to achieve a sustainable position for tinplate production at Trostre in the long term.
The unions will work together to protect the livelihoods and standards of living of our members, their families and their communities in the negotiations to come.
Michael J. Leahy OBE, General Secretary of Community and Chair of the National Steel Trade Union Co-ordinating Committee, said today:
“We greatly regret that Corus has decided to make this announcement. While we recognise the present difficulties in the market for tinplate in Europe we are convinced that there are other practicable options for Corus. The company has assured us that the plans it announced are aimed at securing a sustainable future for the steel packaging industry in Wales. We are insisting that Corus must in all the decisions to be taken about Trostre fulfil its commitments to secure sustainability of the site for producing tinplate and meeting the needs of the local communities and of its customers.”
John Rowse, National Officer of Unite, said:
“Welsh tinplate production has a long and proud record as the cornerstone of the steel industry in South Wales and in the negotiations we will make sure that Corus fulfils all of its responsibilities as the steward of this tradition. This is the least it can do in the light of the contributions our members have made to the industry over many decades.”