Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Tata Steel workers in Wales vote to strike over job cuts

Tata Steel, headquartered in Mumbai, expressed its disappointment with the workers’ decision to consider striking, especially during ongoing consultations.

Tata Steel workers in Wales vote to strike over job cuts

Workers at Tata Steel's facilities in Port Talbot and Newport Llanwern, Wales, have voted in favour of strike action in response to the company's proposal to close its blast furnaces and cut approximately 2,800 jobs.

This decision was announced on Thursday after around 1,500 employees participated in the ballot.


Tata Steel, headquartered in Mumbai, expressed its disappointment with the workers' decision to consider striking, especially during ongoing consultations. The company also raised concerns about what it described as "significant irregularities" in the voting process.

The Indian steel major has been clear about the necessity of its restructuring efforts, which include a shift to newer electric technologies, to keep the business viable. Despite this, the Unite trade union criticised the plans, calling them "disastrous" and stating that the workers do not support the proposed approach.

A Tata Steel spokesperson said, “We are naturally disappointed that while consultation continues, Unite Union members at Port Talbot and Llanwern have indicated that they would be prepared to take industrial action up to and including strike action if an agreement cannot be reached on a way forward for the business and its employees.”

The spokesperson further mentioned the company's communication with the union during the ballot, highlighting concerns over the voting process. Tata Steel has been engaging in a formal information-sharing and consultation process with trade unions since it announced in January its intention to invest GBP 1.25 billion in restructuring its UK operations.

“This investment is essential as much of our existing iron and steelmaking operation in Port Talbot is at the end of its life, is unreliable and inefficient,” the spokesperson added, emphasizing the critical nature of the restructuring for transitioning to electric arc furnace technology.

Despite the challenges, the company envisions a future focused on producing high-quality, low-CO2 steel from existing scrap materials in the UK, reducing the need to import raw materials.

Conversely, Unite the Union insists that alternatives exist, especially with political support. The union highlighted a promise from the Labour Party to invest GBP 3 billion in the UK steel industry, in stark contrast to the GBP 500 million committed by the current government.

Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said, “This is a historic vote. Not since the 1980s have steelworkers voted to strike in this manner.” She criticised the company's threats to withdraw redundancy packages and pledged full support for the workers' fight to save steelmaking in Wales.

The union has announced that it will soon reveal the dates for the strike actions, promising they will be timed to maximise impact.

(PTI)

More For You

11th UK Gatka Championship

All winners received medals and trophies

UK Parliament

11th UK Gatka Championship ends with Welsh debut and £1,000 support for Gatka Akharas

Highlights:

  • The 11th UK National Gatka Championship was hosted near Cardiff, marking the first time in Wales.
  • Winners included Roop Kaur (girls), Navjot Singh (boys), and Gurdeep Singh (men’s).
  • Gatka Federation UK awarded £1,000 to each participating Akhara to support martial arts promotion.
  • Chief guests included MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi and Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation.

Gatka Championship marks Welsh debut

The 11th UK National Gatka Championship concluded on a high note near Cardiff, Wales, showcasing the traditional Sikh martial art with flair. Seven leading Gatka Akharas participated, thrilling spectators with their lightning-fast strikes, precision moves and elegant techniques.

Inauguration by global leaders

The tournament was inaugurated by Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation (WGF) and the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI). He was joined by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP, President of Gatka Federation UK, alongside other dignitaries including Jagbir Singh Jagga Chakar, President of Wales Kabaddi Club, and community leaders from the Haveli Hotel Pontyclun.

Keep ReadingShow less
Vantara

The site, located in Gujarat, houses hundreds of elephants, as well as 50 bears, 160 tigers, 200 lions, 250 leopards, and 900 crocodiles. (Photo: Instagram/Vantara)

India court probe clears Ambani family’s animal centre

AN INDIAN Supreme Court-ordered investigation has cleared a large private animal facility run by the son of Asia’s richest man, rejecting allegations of wildlife violations.

Vantara, described as the “world’s biggest wild animal rescue centre,” is operated by Anant Ambani, son of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer

Starmer, who has faced negative coverage since taking office in July 2024, defended the appointment process.

Reuters

Starmer: I would not have appointed Mandelson if aware of Epstein ties

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer said on Monday he would not have appointed Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to Washington had he known the extent of his links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

This was Starmer’s first public statement since dismissing Mandelson last week. The prime minister is facing questions over his judgement, including from Labour MPs, after initially standing by Mandelson before removing him from the post.

Keep ReadingShow less
Trump

Trump said the suspect had been arrested earlier for 'terrible crimes,' including child sex abuse, grand theft auto and false imprisonment, but was released under the Biden administration because Cuba refused to take him back.

Getty Images

Trump says accused in Dallas motel beheading will face first-degree murder charge

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump has described Chandra Mouli “Bob” Nagamallaiah, the Indian-origin motel manager killed in Dallas, as a “well-respected person” and said the accused will face a first-degree murder charge.

Nagamallaiah, 50, was killed last week at the Downtown Suites motel by co-worker Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, a 37-year-old undocumented Cuban immigrant with a criminal history.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer Mandelson

Starmer talks with Mandelson during a welcome reception at the ambassador's residence on February 26, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Getty

Starmer under pressure from party MPs after Mandelson dismissal

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer is facing questions within the Labour party after the sacking of US ambassador Peter Mandelson.

Mandelson was removed last week after Bloomberg published emails showing messages of support he sent following Jeffrey Epstein’s conviction for sex offences. The dismissal comes just ahead of US president Donald Trump’s state visit.

Keep ReadingShow less