GMB Give Official Notice For May Ballot For Industrial Action Over Tata Steel Proposal To Close Pension Scheme To Future Accrual

Our members are determined to stand up for their pensions and they will now have the opportunity to show their resolve by voting for strike action says GMB.

GMB and two other UK steel unions Community and UCATT on 27th April gave official legal notice to Tata Steel UK Ltd about their intention to ballot their members for industrial action in the ongoing dispute over pensions. See notes to editors for copies of previous GMB press release on the Tata pensions dispute.

Unite, a fourth steel union, is expected to give notice in the next few days. Ballot papers will be posted to union members from Wednesday 6 May. The ballot is expected to end on Friday 29th May.

The unions are urging their members to vote in favour of strike action and action short of strike action.

Dave Hulse, GMB National Officer for steel, said “Tata has refused to sit down and talk again about a proper solution and has given us no option but to ballot our members. Our members are determined to stand up for their pensions and they will now have the opportunity to show their resolve by voting for strike action.”

Roy Rickhuss, Chair of the National Trade Union Steel Co-ordinating Committee and General Secretary of Community, said “Unfortunately there is no sign of Tata showing any willingness to work in a collaborative and co-operative spirit and re-enter meaningful discussions with the trade unions about the future of the British Steel Pension Scheme (BSPS). To defend the hard-earned pensions of our members we have no choice but to ballot for industrial action.

This is not a situation we wanted to find ourselves in. The unions were prepared to discuss changes that resolved the challenges faced by the scheme but Tata rejected that constructive offer. We are urging our members to vote for strike action.”

Nick Blundell, UCATT Regional Secretary for Ucatt, said “Our members are united in their opposition to the closure of their pension scheme and we are urging them to vote yes in the ballot to defend their pensions.”

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Contact: David Hulse 07971 266157 or 0207 391 6700 GMB press office 07921 289880 or 07974 251 823