UK Union Calls Off Port Talbot Steel Workers' Strike

The Unite union has called off a strike planned for July 8, 2024, so that further talks can take place over the future of the UK’s largest steelworks at Port Talbot in Wales, Simon Jack and Faarea Masud reported for BBC News.

The Community and GMB unions had hoped that waiting until blast furnace four closed in September would give them time for more negotiations to extend its life, with a potentially new government in place. I Photo: Grubb at English Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons

Owners Tata had been planning to shut one blast furnace at the site in September and one this Thursday, but then threatened to shut both this week due to safety fears over a staff walkout.

Unite’s strike action was called to the dismay of other unions that feared that it would accelerate the closures and hasten job losses.

The Community and GMB unions had hoped that waiting until blast furnace four closed in September would give them time for more negotiations to extend its life, with a potentially new government in place.

Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said the talks were "essential." She added that "workers were simply not prepared to stand idly by while steel making ended and their communities were laid to waste."

Graham added the focus should be on fresh investment and the continuation of long-term steelmaking in the region.

Tata has been in talks with unions since January when it unveiled plans to radically transform its South Wales operations to deal with financial losses and reduce its carbon emissions.