Gareth Bromhall, Swansea Socialist Party and Trades Council
Steelworkers at Tata Steel in South Wales have started industrial action.
For the first time in over 40 years, in a battle for their jobs and their community, action short of strike by members of Unite began on 18 June.
A rally was held at the gates to the Port Talbot works on the eve of the first day, which saw over 100 steel workers, trade unionists – including four trades councils – environment activists and local people come out to support.
Steelworkers Ian Williams and Jason Wyatt, along with Unite national lead officer Onay Kasab, spoke about the need to fight and the shocking bullying and intimidation of members by the employers.
The message of solidarity from Greenpeace was well received, when they said that a transition that didn’t include climate justice and workers’ justice was not a ‘just transition’.
The Socialist Party’s demands for nationalisation, investment and a transition to green steel that sees skilled jobs and the community protected, went down well. Jason Wyatt will be speaking at the National Shop Stewards Network conference on 22 June.
