No job losses expected at Shotton but crisis in the steel industry deepens as Tata prepare to axe 1200 UK jobs.

Hundreds of jobs in Scotland and Scunthorpe are set to be axed by Tata steel next week.

The Indian headquartered company say they would not comment on the “rumour and speculation” around the cuts however, reports suggest an announcement will be made next Tuesday.

Tata’s Shotton site appears to be untouched by the latest round of job losses, two sites in Scotland and one in Scunthorpe will bear the brunt of the cuts as the steel industry plunges deeper into crisis.

News of the jobs losses emerged as ministers attended a summit in Rotherham to discuss the crisis in the UK steel industry, Welsh economy minister Edwina Hart, who was attending a crisis summit warned that high energy costs and cheap imports were threatening plants in Wales.

Roy Rickhuss, general secretary of Community, said:

“Clearly this is extremely worrying news for all those who may be affected. We’ll be seeking further discussions with Tata Steel to understand the full detail, examine alternatives that may safeguard jobs and uphold our principle of opposing compulsory redundancies.

“This is yet another blow to our steel communities and demonstrates the precarious state of the UK steel industry and emphasises the need for government action which Community and the employers have been calling for at the summit today.

“We will also be seeking a meeting with the Scottish Government as a matter of urgency to discuss what support they can offer to Tata Steel’s Scottish steel mills at Dalzell and Clydebridge.”

UK steelmakers say it’s getting harder to compete because of high energy costs, green taxes, the strong pound and cheap Chinese imports flooding the market. The cost of making steel in the UK is too high mwarn unions.

Shotton galvanising line mothballed.

Tata announced at the end of Septemeber one of the two galvanising lines at Shotton Steel would be ‘mothballed’ in a move which could put jobs at the Tata-owned site at risk.

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 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.