Recar Steel Reopens
Thursday 24th February
GMB WELCOME RE-OPENING OF THE STEEL PLANT AT
REDCAR
There is the prospect of between 600 to 800 jobs in a
hard pressed community that has suffered badly from the bankers
recession says GMB
GMB welcomed the announcement, to be made later this afternoon,
that the former steel making plant in Redcar, Teesside is to
re-open under the management of the Thai firm Sahaviriya Steel
Industries (SSI).
GMB said that when the plant reopens after the agreement is
signed that between 600 to 800 jobs will be an important boost to
the local economy on Teesside.
Jimmy Skivington, GMB Regional Organiser for Engineering on
Teesside, said, "GMB welcome the fact that there will be an
announcement this afternoon that the steel making plant at Redcar
is to re-open with the prospect of between 600 to 800 jobs in a
hard pressed community that has suffered badly from the bankers
recession.
The Redcar and wider Teesside communities have endured a
real hard time over the last few years. Many hard working people
and their families have suffered unnecessarily from unemployment,
reduced income and life chances".
It is important to remember that globalisation caused
the problem that led to the shutting of the iconic plant at Redcar
in the first place and it important for the future that British
engineering and manufacturing are safeguarded.
The prospect of losing vital manufacturing skills built
up over generations was a body blow to the area. It is vital that
Redcar in particular and Teesside in general is not allowed to
become a low wage low skill economy. We need a diverse range of
skills indigenous to this area that are enabled, supported and
invested in. That is why we welcome the prospect of over 600
skilled workers getting the chance once again to put their vital
skills into practice.”
Ends
Contact: Jimmy Skivington, GMB Organiser on 07870 176746
or Tommy Brennan, GMB Regional Secretary on 07812 166642 of GMB
Press Office: 07921 289880 or 07974 251823.