Steelworkers facing pay cuts over Christmas shutdown

STEELWORKERS are facing “catastrophic” pay cuts of more than a third over Christmas due to an extended shutdown at three Tata Steel sites in Wales, the Senedd has heard.

- CHRIS HAINES

David Rees, who chairs the Senedd’s cross-party group on steel, warned the 65% pay packets would be disastrous for families still reeling from thousands of job losses.

The Aberavon Senedd member criticised plans for an “elongated festive shutdown” for the hot mill in Port Talbot as well as production lines in Llanwern and Trostre.

The Labour politician said: “This would also see steelworkers losing a large proportion of their income.

“There were talks of a 65% basic salary being paid... that’s not happened normally in furloughs and shutdowns, they get their normal pay.

“This is new... this is actually seeing staff losing income at a time of year when families need that money. It's Christmas time... so it’s disastrous for the communities.”

Mr Rees warned of the cumulative impact of 50% US tariffs, EU plans to cut import quotas and steel being dumped in UK markets from China or Vietnam.