Tata to ‘mothball’ one of its production lines at Shotton Steel leaving jobs at risk

One of the two galvanising lines at Shotton Steel is to be ‘mothballed’ in a move which could put jobs at the Tata-owned site at risk.

AM Urges company to stay true their word and redeploy workers.

Up to 40 jobs at risk.

Production line to be ‘mothballed in October.

The second galvanising line at Shotton will be ramped-up to full-time operation the company say.

The mothballed production line will be retained and restarted if the market becomes ‘more favourable’.

The Community union has said 40 jobs could be affected by the move.

A Tata company spokesperson said:

“In early September we told employees that we will be reducing operating capacity in hot dipped galvanising at our business in Shotton.

“We continue to be in discussions with employees, their representatives and the employers of contractors and agency staff about possible implications for employment levels.

“Every effort will be made to redeploy any affected employees within the business.

Alyn and Deeside AM Carl Sargeant said:

“Tata is a major employer on Deeside and I’m sad to hear there could be job losses as one of the lines is mothballed.

“I urge Tata to stay true to their word and do their utmost to redeploy any workers that may be affected to another part of the business. It’s also good to know that the firm has said it would restart the line if market conditions improve.

“If the worst should happen and redundancies are made then of course this will be devastating for the workers and their families. If this happens I will write to the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, Edwina Hart, to ask how she can support these people in finding alternative employment.

The steel industry is facing challenging conditions in the UK, underlined by the announcement today that 1700 jobs are to go at the SSI UK Redcar plant in the north-east of England which is to be mothballed.

The Shotton site is part of Tata Steel Colors which produces metallic and paint coated products for the construction industry and domestic appliances, it currently employs 800 men and women at the Shotton site.