New orders boost Corus

Aug 26 2009 by Evening Gazette

THOUSANDS of workers at Redcar’s Teesside Cast Products site were boosted today by news that the steelmaker had secured orders to keep the plant operational until the end of October.

Since April, when the international consortium responsible for buying nearly 80% of the plant’s output abandoned a 10-year deal, employees have been living in fear of redundancy.

Earlier this month Corus said it was extending its consultation period with staff as the site’s order book had been bolstered until the end of September.

But today’s announcement will keep the plant busy until the end of October while work continues to secure a long-term future for the site.

Union bosses today described the announcement as "great news".

GMB regional organiser Jimmy Skivington said: "It gives us an better opportunity to talk to people interested in the business.

"And all the time the situation in the steel market as a whole is improving."

Fragile signs of recovery in the steel market were strengthened this week when it emerged that some steelmakers were preparing to bring idled blast furnaces back to life.

ArcelorMittal, the world’s biggest steelmaker, is preparing to relight fires from Ohio to Ukraine, while Corus is reviving strip steelmaking capacity at Llanwern in South Wales.

A rise in demand for construction strength steel in Asia has also boosted Teesside’s Lackenby beam mill with shifts increasing from 15 to 19.5, although the threat of 150 redundancies remains.

"It’s early days," added Mr Skivington, "but we’re certainly seeing some green shoots."

A number of firms are said to interested in acquiring the TCP plant, which has built a world-wide reputation for specialist slab, since a deal to sell to two of the consortium members melted into thin air.

Teesside steel workers were today highlighting their plight by demonstrating on the empty fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square.

The delegation of placard waving Corus workers will surround the London plinth with the Gazette’s "Save our Steel" banner.

The workers will be joined by passionate poet Linda Robinson who is supporting the campaign to save local jobs by reciting one of her most poignant works from the plinth.

The mum-of-two from Billingham will read aloud the poem Steel River.

"It’s all about keeping the situation in the spotlight," said Mr Skivington.

Meanwhile, Sheffield City Council chiefs were this afternoon due to approve a high-profile, government-targeted campaign to save its steel industry, echoing similar messages on Teesside.