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Union reaction to Tata bid for Corus

Posted on Friday, October 20, 2006

Commenting on todays’ announcement of an agreed takeover bid for Corus, the Anglo-Dutch steelmaker, by Tata Steel of India, Michael Leahy, Community General Secretary, said on behalf of the National Steel Co-Ordinating Committee (Amicus, GMB, T&G and UCATT), representing Corus’ UK employees :

’In the past few years Corus turned itself round and become a profitable and efficient steel producer. Given this - which we believe is in no small part down to the performance of UK steelworkers - and the trend towards consolidation in the industry, it is understandable why it should be an attractive proposition for Tata.

’Community shall be seeking urgent talks with Tata to discuss their plans for the business. In particular, we wish to discuss their plans for further investment in Corus’ UK operations. In addition, we shalll also be seeking guarantees on the terms and conditions of employment for Corus’ UK employees, particularly on pay and pensions.

’We shall also be seeking talks with relevant Government Departments to establish what their expectations of Tata’s takeover of such a strategically important UK company are. We would expect the Government to make clear that it wishes Tata to maintain UK steelmaking capacity.’

from Community Press Office