Port Talbot steelworkers 'surprised' by Tata sale plan

Staff at Port Talbot’s giant plant clocked on today full of mixed emotions after last night’s shock announcement from Mumbai.

The news comes little over two months after staff learned that 750 jobs at the South Wales plant would be cut.

Unite union secretary and steelworker Mark Turner said it was crazy situation that the place which made the “best steel in the world” may no longer have a long-term future.

He said: “We were really surprised by the announcement because the one thing that the company told us that would not happen is that they would put us up for sale.

“There’s disillusionment among workers because we’ve gone from one crisis to another. We’ve gone from out of the frying pan and into the fire.

“Yesterday we ended up with a ‘yes-no’ situation, when everyone was expecting a slightly different answer. There’s optimism and pessimism, but above all disillusionment because everyone wants to know exactly what Tata’s position really means.

“Everything is up in the air. All options are on the table: closure still has not been taken away.”

Mr Turner, who worked at the plant for 11 years, insisted it could still be economically viable and its highly skilled workforce was a major asset.

“It doesn’t make sense that we make the best steel in the world and yet we are in the situation we are in.

“I understand the economics of it all. If China is producing cheaper steel, then of course people will buy it. But the reason not to buy it is because it’s not the best. When you want the best of something, it’s going to cost you that little bit more.

“Since 2008 we have been set a number of targets – and every single one we have met.

“The workforce here are skilled, they are committed and flexible: they are willing to do what it takes and go the extra mile. All we want is someone to go the extra mile for us.”

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