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Global union calls on governments to support steelworkers

15th December 2009

This week at the International Metalworkers Federation executive meeting in Geneva, Workers Uniting is calling for support for the 1,700 Corus steelworkers from Teesside in the UK facing redundancy.

The world’s first global union also called for more government intervention to support the steel industry in the UK, United States, Canada and elsewhere where workers are facing job losses because of globalisation.

Workers Uniting is a partnership between Unite the union from the UK and Ireland and the United Steelworkers, from the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.

On 4th December Corus announced it would mothball its Teesside plant by the end of January 2010 with the loss of 1,700 skilled jobs. The announcement follows a decision by a consortium of four companies taken in April 2009 to pull out of a 10-year agreement to buy 78 percent of the plant’s production.

UK unions had made strenuous efforts to secure a long-term future after the “failure” of the four buyers to fulfil obligations under the contract, signed in 2004. Unite the union is urging the UK government do everything possible to keep a steelmaking infrastructure in Teesside and preserve the valuable skills of the workforce for when the demand for steel increases.

Globalisation - compounded by the world recession - is causing massive job cuts in the UK and USA and requires governments to actively intervene to support industry, skills and jobs.

Terry Pye, Unite national officer, said: "Globalisation compounded by the world recession is acting against national interests around the world. Governments’ need to actively intervene to support industry, skills and jobs.

"The tragic news that 1,700 steelworkers face redundancy at Corus in the UK is proof of why the UK government should do everything possible to keep a steelmaking infrastructure in Teesside and preserve the valuable skills of the workforce. These jobs are not being lost because the site was uncompetitive, but because of a world recession. The demand for steel will eventually return and unless there is government action the UK won't  even be able to compete for the work. Germany is a fine example of a successful economy that supports its industry, regardless of what the 'free marketeers' say, it works."

Carol Landry, USW international vice president at large, said: “Steelworkers and other manufacturing workers in the United States, Canada and the UK are facing job losses and uncertain futures because of the failed philosophy that global capital must rule our world. The hard-working employees at Corus and workers in our countries have done nothing wrong. They are not to blame for our economic mess, yet they and they families are the true victims of the world recession.

"Domestic manufacturing strategies will go a long way to solve our economic problems, protect quality jobs and secure a brighter future. Our governments need to start focusing on doing more to create and protect jobs.”

ENDS