Proposed Sale of Teesside Cast Products is long overdue and great news say Steel Unions


Teesside cast products to be sold to Thai company SSI

The proposed sale of Teesside Cast Products (TCP) to Thai steel company SSI is long overdue and great news for Teesside says the National Trade Union Steel Coordinating Committee (NTUSCC). This news follows the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between Thai Steel Company SSI and UK steel giant Corus to purchase the Teesside Cast Products plant. TCP has been under threat since the collapse of an off-take agreement in May 2009. The plant has been mothballed since February 2010.

General Secretary of Community Union and Chairman of the NTUSCC Michael J. Leahy OBE said:

"This long overdue announcement is great news for Teesside. I must give all credit to the Tata board and to SSI for finally forging an agreement that will resume steelmaking on Teesside. SSI have a well earned reputation that should reassure the community that steelmaking is at the top of their agenda.

W e are confident that SSI will be contacting all the stakeholders including the unions. The resumption of production on Teesside will rejuvenate the local area, get people back into work and ensures a strong future for the British Steel industry.

The trade unions have worked tirelessly for a resolution to this situation, and are now looking to tie up any loose ends and bring this matter to a conclusion. For our members on Teesside who have survived on a knife edge since May 2009, the sale of TCP will mark the beginning of a new and challenging era of steelmaking.

Keith Hazlewood, National Secretary of the GMB said:

We welcome this news as it will put our members back to work. A strong Teesside will build a strong industrial future for Britain.

Terry Pye, National Officer of Unite the Union said:

Steelmaking has been at the heart of Teesside for over a hundred years. It is a testament to the support of the local area that we can see steel making continue for another hundred years.