Thamesteel task force discusses future
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by Nisha Chopra
A task force has been hammering out ideas to help workers made
redundant from the troubled Thamesteel plant in Sheerness.
Kent County Council representatives, government figures and
union members make up the group, which was set up after the firm
announced it had gone into administration.
The task force met for the first time to discuss what support
can be provided to help workers - who have still not been paid
their January wages - and work with administrators to secure the
future of the steelworks.
Of the 400 people employed at Thamesteel, 350 have
been told they have lost their jobs.
Community Trade Union spokesman Ryan Slaughter, part of the task
force, said: "These guys haven't be paid - they've got mortgages
too pay, families to look after, child care costs.
"That's what our meeting is about - how can all these agencies
work together to assist those workers?"
Mr Slaughter who said he's had to work through a number of
administrations in London and the South East said: "The key point
is that we're doing something. I see these instances all around the
country so if we can do something to help these workers then that's
a good thing."
Cllr Kevin Lynes, Kent County Council cabinet member for
regeneration and economic development, chaired the first
meeting.
He said: "People just need assistance, advice, support and in
some cases re-skilling and retraining, but they need to know that
we're working on their behalf to secure a future for them."
Last year, a task force was set up to safeguard jobs after
Pfizer announced it was going to pull out of Sandwich.
Cllr Lynes added: "With Pfizer we knew what was happening - the
issue in Sheerness is very different.
"But the council will now commission an economical impact
assessment so we have facts to lobby government for assistance to
the economy in that area."
The task force is expected to meet again in two weeks.
Tuesday, February 07 2012
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