Corus will keep talking in effort to save jobs

Jun 3 2009 by Karen Dent, The Journal

Corus and the buying consortium have come under pressure from the Government to re-open negotiations and seek a commercial solution to save the plant and its 2,000 workers.

It is hoped a deal can still be brokered to sell TCP to Marcegaglia and a memorandum of understanding between the Italian giant and Corus remains until the end of this month.

However, a Corus spokesman confirmed that legal action against the consortium’s decision to break the offtake agreement was continuing. He refused to comment on whether this would complicate the new negotiations.

He said: “The legal action is ongoing but we’ve always said we are open to continuing the dialogue with the consortium members. There will be contact ongoing with the consortium.”

Michael J Leahy, general secretary of the Community Union, which represents the steelworkers, has had a private meeting with Mr Marcegaglia over the plant.

A spokesman said: “We are continuing to monitor the situation. Our preference is for any solution that continues the plant as a viable site. Steelmaking is of huge importance to the local area and we don’t believe it is time yet to turn off the lights and go home.”