In a big relief to Tata Steel UK, the planned strike by workers of the company, including 6,000 from Unite, the country’s largest union, has been suspended after a new offer was made over pensions.
Members of Unite, Community, the GMB and Ucatt were due to walk out for 24 hours on Monday (June 22) in protest at plans to close their final salary pension scheme. Unite’s members include crane drivers, erectors, fitters, riggers, turners and welders. and the main sites are at Corby, Llanwern, Port Talbot, Scunthorpe, Shotton and Workington.
The new offer will now be balloted, which unions said keeps the British Steel pension scheme open. The unions are recommending that the deal is accepted, Union said.
“The Union action brought the company back to the table with an improved offer. The British Steel pension scheme (BSPS) is so important to Tata Steel employees and we have managed to keep the scheme open and secure a deal around early retirement,” Unite national officer Harish Patel said.
Published 20 June 2015, 18:23 IST