Working to rule

Last month saw steelworkers take industrial action for the first time in 40 years. Around 1,500 Tata steelworkers based in Port Talbot and Newport Llanwern began working to rule and a continuous overtime ban on 18 June.

The action will disrupt Tata’s operations and order book, a situation that unions say will get worse if the company does not row back on its plans to close down the plant with the loss of 2,800 jobs. General Secretary Sharon Graham said that "in less than a month, Tata will almost certainly be dealing with a new political reality. Labour has told Tata to wait for the £3 billion steel investment fund, a commitment secured by Unite. That is what it must do. Unite will use every weapon in its armoury to ensure that it does.” Tata steelworkers, including those in the GMB union who voted 72% in favour of industrial action are also prepared to strike.