Friday, September 18, 2009

Report of National Trade Union Steel Co-ordinating Committee

This was sent in by a Workers Uniting Group Supporter and they asked could we circulate it on our email list. Happy to oblige!

"At the meeting of the National Trade Union Steel Coordinating Committee,
held at the TUC in London on Thursday 17th September 2009, delegates were
shown a presentation and a video. Both of these can be viewed at the
following web site: www.community-tu.org/saveourpensions By visiting this area you will have access to a ‘Save the Corus Pension Scheme’ petition, the pensions presentation, the ‘real pensions news’ video
and press releases.


Resolution Carried at the Meeting:

“The Steel Committee delegates utterly condemn Corus for its disgraceful
and unnecessary attack on our pension scheme. We call upon all our
constituent unions to take any action necessary to stop this including a
national ballot for industrial action up to and including strike action.”

Following the meeting, the following Press Release was issued.

Unions say national ballot for industrial action at Corus is imminent

Union representatives from across steel giant Corus gathered at the TUC in
London today to discuss the decision by Corus to close the British Steel
Pension Scheme (BSPS) to new entrants.

The National Trade Union Steel Co-ordinating Committee, which brings
together all unions within Corus, issued the following statement:

“The meeting was unanimous in its opposition to the move by Corus to close
the pension scheme to new entrants. Representatives and shop stewards will
be taking this powerful message of protest back to their workplaces.

“We want to make it very clear that the unions are united in their
determination to tell our members the truth behind Corus’s decision and to
expose their motivation which is to close the pension scheme completely.

“Members have seen thousands of job losses across Corus, their bonus has
been removed unlawfully and now the company is attacking their pension.
Corus should be fully aware that the unions are saying enough is enough.

“Representatives have called for ballots for industrial action right across
the company, so ultimately our members will decide.”

Paul Reuter National Officer for the Steel Industry Management Association, part of Unite said:
“Unite will work with any business that is facing genuine difficulties due the present financial
crisis. However, Unite will also resist any business that attempts to take
advantage of the economic crisis to drive through unwarranted and unnecessary
detrimental changes to our member’s terms and conditions.”

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