Tata Steel U.K.’s biggest trade union voted on Friday to go on strike, setting the scene for the biggest labour action in the British steel sector in three decades.
Members of the trade union Community voted 88 per cent in favour of going on strike while the smaller GMB union said its members also approved strike action, statements said. The union members are locked in a dispute with the company about its proposal to change their pension scheme. “Steelworkers are determined to stand up to Tata,” said Roy Rickhuss, General Secretary of Community.
“We stand on the brink of the first national strike in the steel industry for over 30 years,” said Mr. Rickhuss, also Chair of the National Trade Union Steel Co-ordinating Committee.
The union, which did not give a date for a strike, said it was calling for Tata to return to negotiations. — Reuters