Unions offer 14 days grace to Corus
1st March 2010
In a letter to Corus chief executive Kirby Adams, the steel
unions resolved to offer Corus a 14-day period of grace to take a
different course of action regarding the future of
Teesside.
Corus now has an opportunity to show genuine leadership and to
demonstrate its willingness to find an alternative future for
Teesside by meeting constructively with potential and credible
off-takers or buyers.
If Corus fails to demonstrate the necessary leadership,
statesmanship and progress in the next 14 days, regrettably, we
will need to implement alternative plans to safeguard steelmaking
across the UK.
The Steel committee remains available to meet with Kirby Adams
at any time.
We will continue to consult with our members about alternative
options, with the interests of Teesside and the future of the UK
steel industry foremost in our minds.
The Steel committee will meet again on 15 March to assess what
progress Corus has made and to respond appropriately.
Terry Pye, national officer for Unite, said: ”We are giving
Corus a window of opportunity to commit to finding a buyer for
Teesside. This is a pause for peace to allow Corus to take the
initiative because there are 10,000 jobs on the line.”
Michael Leahy, general secretary of Community, said: ”This is a
genuine olive branch, offered in the interests of all in finding a
way forward to save our steel on Teesside.”'
ENDS
Contact: Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315
