Tata Steel industrial action suspended – unions to consider new pensions offer

Unions representing Tata steel workers including those at Tata Shotton have called off industrial action after the company revised its offer on pensions.

Union officials say Tata Steel has made a new proposal over its British Steel Pension Scheme, which would see the programme remain open.

Following negotiations, a new offer has been tabled which would keep the pension scheme open.

Community, along with Unite, GMB and UCATT, is temporarily suspending its industrial action, which began this morning.

Through talks at ACAS yesterday and ongoing dialogue today, union negotiators secured a new offer from the company which means the scheme would remain open.

Members of Community’s National Executive Council, who work for Tata Steel, were presented with the principles of the new offer at an emergency meeting in London this afternoon.

Those present at the meeting agreed that the company had shifted its position to such an extent that industrial action could be suspended temporarily and steps could be taken to consult members on the revised offer.

Consultations will begin with a meeting of senior union delegates from across the company on Friday.

Roy Rickhuss, General Secretary of Community and Chair of the National Trade Union Steel Co-ordinating Committee, who led the negotiations for the union side said:

“It is good that Tata Steel has finally seen sense, participated in the meaningful discussions that we have been calling for and changed its mind about closing the scheme. We were always prepared to consider proposals which would help overcome the current challenges faced by the scheme and we knew that could be achieved while keeping the scheme open and recognising the importance of maintaining a good final salary pension. This dispute isn’t yet over but through meaningful discussion and negotiation we have made some steps towards finding a resolution.”

The overtime ban and work to rule which began at 6am this morning will be temporarily suspended from 6am tomorrow, Wednesday 17 June to 6am on Saturday 20 June.

The plan for strike action on Monday 22 June has not changed.