UK unions give Tata Steel notice of industrial action ballot

By Maytaal Angel

28 April 2015 at 6:05 am

Birds fly above part of the TATA steel plant in Scunthorpe northern England, October 15, 2014. REUTERS/Phil Noble/Files

By Maytaal Angel LONDON (Reuters) - British steel unions have given official legal notice to Tata Steel UK about their intention to start balloting some 17,000 members for industrial action from May 6, one day before the country's general election. The unions are locked in a dispute with the company about its proposal to change their pension scheme. Should the ballot result in a vote to strike, it would be the biggest action in the UK steel sector in three decades. "We are urging our members to vote for strike action," said Roy Rickhuss, Chair of the National Trade Union Steel Co-ordinating Committee and General Secretary of Community. "Unfortunately there is no sign of Tata showing any willingness to re-enter meaningful discussions with the trade unions about the future of the British Steel Pension Scheme (BSPS)." Three unions -- Community, GMB, UCATT -- have given Tata Steel legal notice about the ballot, while a fourth -- Unite -- is expected to give notice in the next few days. The unions accuse Tata Steel of not taking up their offer to re-enter discussions about the pension scheme. They are balloting their members to either vote in favour of a strike or to vote for industrial action short of a strike. A Tata Steel spokesman said: "We have made clear to the unions that our door remains open." After failing to reach agreement with the unions on proposed changes to the BSPS, Tata Steel began a 60-day statutory consultation with scheme members on a proposal to close the scheme to future accruals. "The consultation process provides opportunities for employees to comment on the proposals and to suggest alternatives that they wish the company to consider, other than the proposal of closure to future accrual," added the Tata Steel spokesman. Producing steel profitably in Britain has become difficult given cheap imports and demand that has yet to recover to levels seen before the 2008 financial crisis. Also, the UK steel sector's labour, logistics and energy costs are higher even than mainland Europe, which itself struggles to compete on a global level. (Editing by Mark Potter)

Cinema Online
Makiyo admits the reason for her failed marriage
The TV personality finally opened up about her eight-month marriage to Mr. Jin
The Telegraph
Why soaring numbers of migrants are risking death to flee Xi’s dictatorship for US
When the police came knocking on Wu Lixin’s door one day, he knew it was finally time to flee China.
CNN
A 19-year-old called 911 in a crisis and ended up dead. For advocates, it’s a call for a better way of policing
“Please don’t shoot,” Notan Eva Costa, a 48-year-old Bangladeshi immigrant living in Queens, begged the two New York City police officers who entered her home after her teenage son called 911.
INSIDER
A millennial couple invested in a $143,000 vacation home in Bali. It's become the crux of their early retirement strategy.
The couple wanted to invest in a tangible asset, and settled on the idea of building a villa in Bali. They hope to retire there within six years.
The Telegraph
The West will soon pay for Biden’s betrayal
Our global adversaries – China, Russia, Iran and its proxies – must be marvelling at their good fortune as President Joe Biden effectively endorses a terrorist veto over Israel’s right to self-defence.
The Telegraph
Wayne Rooney accuses Manchester United players of faking injuries
Wayne Rooney has launched a withering attack on some of Manchester United’s injured players by accusing them of deliberately ducking out of games to protect themselves for the FA Cup final or European Championship this summer.
BuzzFeed
Experts Say These 6 Common Work Habits May Actually Be Signs Of ADHD In Adults
Don't ignore these common signs.
The Telegraph
End is nigh for soggy Erik ten Hag as Man Utd sink to new levels of ineptitude
It took an evening deluge to throw Manchester United’s malaise into the sharpest relief. The Old Trafford roof leaked with such violence that fans in the South Stand were left watching a veritable waterfall. Ethan Wheatley and Omari Forson, two academy products promoted to the bench, forlornly chased a lost cause against an error-strewn Arsenal side who should have been ripe for the kill. And in the midst of this soggy scene stood Erik ten Hag in a drenched pale suit, barking instructions to nob
The Smart Investor
3 Singapore Blue-Chip Stocks with Dividend Yields of 6% or Higher
We feature three attractive blue-chip stocks sporting dividend yields of 6% or more. The post 3 Singapore Blue-Chip Stocks with Dividend Yields of 6% or Higher appeared first on The Smart Investor.
INSIDER
How the Israeli Air Force once destroyed over 60 enemy jets and dozens of Soviet missile systems in battle without losing a single fighter
Israel's aircraft, weapons, training, and strategic adaptations are what led to the historic win.
LA Times
'Let her go! Let her go!' Fontana officer shoots armed man who put his partner in a headlock
Body-camera footage released by the Fontana Police Department shows an officer being put in a headlock during a traffic stop in Yucaipa by a man whom authorities have identified as Alan Metka.
Bloomberg
1MDB sues wife of former PM over US$346 million of luxury goods
The companies are asking Rosmah Mansor to give up the luxury goods in her possession and pay US$346 million, or a sum determined by the court, according to a May 9 court filing.
Associated Press
Small, well-built Chinese EV called the Seagull poses a big threat to the US auto industry
A tiny, low-priced electric car called the Seagull has American automakers and politicians trembling. The car, launched last year by Chinese automaker BYD, sells for around $12,000 in China, but drives well and is put together with craftsmanship that rivals U.S.-made electric vehicles that cost three times as much. Tariffs on imported Chinese vehicles probably will keep the Seagull away from America’s shores for now, and it likely would sell for more than 12 grand if imported.
Evening Standard
Manchester United player ratings vs Arsenal: Elegant Amad Diallo makes instant impact
Man Utd let down by Casemiro error but young winger Amad impresses
CNN
Putin replaces Russia’s defense minister with a civilian as Ukraine war rages and defense spending spirals
Russian President Vladimir Putin has replaced his defense minister and close ally Sergei Shoigu with a civilian economist, a major reshuffle of military leadership more than two-years after Moscow’s grinding war against Ukraine has sent defense spending soaring.
CNN
An American soldier went missing in the Korean War. How his late mother’s faith he’d come home has finally been realized
A soldier who went missing during the Korean War has been identified after 70 years. It was the hope of his mother that he would come home again.
The Telegraph
Chinese and Hong Kong students at British universities silenced by Beijing
Hong Kong and Chinese students at British universities are being secretly photographed and filmed as part of a global pattern of harassment and intimidation by Beijing, according to Amnesty International.
BuzzFeed
Employees Who've Had Or Witnessed Scandalous Workplace Affairs Are Telling Their Stories, And Ohhh Boyyyy
"The company covered the whole thing up and blamed me. I quit before hitting my year mark."
People
Meghan Markle Wears Princess Diana's Cross Necklace in Nigeria, a Gift from Prince Harry (Exclusive)
The Duchess of Sussex wore the necklace from her late mother-in-law for the first time
HuffPost Life
Want To Avoid Food Poisoning? Skip These Items At Your Hotel's Breakfast Buffet
Food safety experts say "you only need a couple cells" of contaminants "to really cause havoc.”

Latest stories