Corus pays out on agreed bonus

Steel unions have succeeded in winning back a bonus paid to Corus (formerly British Steel) workers that was suspended in 2009. The bonus has been part of the pay deal for the first two quarters of the financial year for the last 30 years.

Unite general union and Community steelworkers union launched a legal challenge over the bonus, and were balloting for industrial action, when the company decided to reinstate the payment. Workers will get a double bonus payment in their next pay packet.

“Community left no stone unturned in seeking a way to get back what our members worked hard for,” said Roy Rickhuss, Community national officer. Unite national officer Terry Pye said: “We are delighted that we achieved such a good result. We hope this serves as a warning to other employers that they cannot just unilaterally stop agreed bonus payments.”