Multinational conglomerate Tata is set to shut the Port Talbot steelworks earlier than first announced over strike plans.
The company has said it will bring the final closure date to 7 July, from September, as Unite members at the steel plant were due to strike on 8 July.
One of the steel blast furnaces is to close at the end of this month in a push to reduce carbon emissions at what is the UK’s single largest source of CO2.
But that second closure looks set to take place next month, quickening the end of the plant and the loss of 2,800 jobs – 2,500 in the next year, a further 300 in three years.
It comes despite £500m of taxpayer cash to support the site’s transition to cheaper, greener steel production to cut emissions.
The previous fossil-fuel-powered blast furnaces are to be replaced by a single electric arc furnace.
Labour had pleaded with the company to hold fire on any closures before a new government is elected on 4 July.
A Tata Steel spokesperson said: “Following the announcement by Unite union to unilaterally call strike action from 8 July, Tata Steel is unfortunately forced to commence legal action to challenge the validity of Unite’s ballot.
“In the coming days, if we cannot be certain that we are able to continue to safely operate our assets in a stable fashion through the period of strike action, we will not have any choice but to pause or stop heavy end operations (including both blast furnaces) on the Port Talbot site.
“That is not a decision we would take lightly, and we recognise that it would prove extremely costly and disruptive throughout the supply chain, but the safety of people on or around our sites will always take priority over everything else.
“The company again calls for Unite to withdraw its industrial action and join Community and GMB unions in giving consideration to the company’s proposed memorandum of understanding, which puts forward a wide-ranging proposal including generous employee support packages, training and skills development.”
Unite has been contacted for comment.
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