Steel mill calls in administrators
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It has been announced that Thamesteel has gone into
administration.
The 400 staff at the site in Brielle Way, Sheerness, were given
the news this afternoon (Wednesday).
It has happened after a proposed investment deal with major
international oil firm Trafigura fell through.
Staff were told yesterday they would not be paid today and it
has since emerged they will not be receiving their January
wages.
There will be a meeting for staff at the site tomorrow.
A spokesman for Community Union, which represents workers, said:
"This is devastating news for everybody who works at Thamesteel and
for the wider community in Sheerness.
"Community believes that Sheerness steelmaking can have a future
and we will be doing all we can to save our steel in the coming
weeks and months.
"We will also ensure our members' rights are upheld at this
difficult time.
"Once the administrators are appointed, we are willing to work
with them to deepen and widen the search for an investor and we
want to work with anybody who wants to give Thamesteel a
future.
"Any investor who did come forward would find a proud and
committed workforce dedicated to continuing production at the UK's
first mini-mill."
MP Gordon Henderson has reacted to the news.
He said: "It is desperately sad for all those affected; a bitter
blow for the community.
"I have been working closely with the management and trying to
get the government to support heavy industry in general.
"I will be contacting [Business Secretary] Vince Cable to try
and fix a meeting on this for early next week. I will also be
raising the matter in parliament.
"Ideally, another steel maker would come in and take over the
business but we'll have to see.
"I am doing everything I possibly can to see if there is any way
the works can be rescued by another maker."
- Are you affected by this news? Contact the news desk on
01795 580300.
Wednesday, January 25 2012
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