Tata Steel approach ACAS in pension row as strike action looms.

Tata steel has approached ACAS, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, in a bid to resolve the pensions dispute with workers at its UK factories, including those at Shotton.

ACAS has been brought in to help facilitate the next phase in talks between the parties.

Tata Steel’s European operations Executive Director of Human Resources Tor Farquhar said in a statement

“We have contactedAcas to bring in independent expertise in mediating a resolution to the UK pension dispute. We have requestedAcas to immediately approach the National Trade Union Steel Coordinating Committee to ask them to attend talks,”

Tata Steel is aiming to avert what would be the biggest strike by UK steel workers in thirty years, unions are set to strike on June 22 over proposed changes in the company’s pension scheme.

Farquhar added.
“We have been talking to the trade unions since Nov 2014 to develop a fair and sustainable pension scheme for all UK employees. The company and unions agree that changes need to be made to tackle the scheme’s projected shortfall of up to 2 billion British pound,” 

The company said, industrial action, consisting of an overtime ban and a work to rule, is currently scheduled to begin on June 16, with a one-day strike planned for June 22.