AN action group has been launched to support workers and their families in the continuing fight to save threatened steel jobs at Teesside Cast Products.
Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council decided to take steps following the announcement of the possible mothballing of the Corus blast furnace and the potential for 3,000 redundancies at the Redcar site.
A Save Our Steel task group, whose members include council leader, Councillor George Dunning, deputy leader, Councillor Sheelagh Clarke, and cabinet member for economic development, Councillor Mark Hannon, is leading a targeted programme of action.
The group is not only intent on securing a future for the plant, but also making the necessary preparations to lessen the impact of any redundancies, not only on the workers themselves, but on their children and families.
Coun Dunning, who was made redundant from Corus about a decade ago, said: “We need to do everything in our power to help in this situation.
“As a council, in times of crisis we have a number of roles we must fulfil – above all, we want to save jobs, but we also need to make sure we are in a position to support our residents and provide the help and advice they might need should the worst happen and we see job losses at the Corus site.”
A booklet and information pack will soon be available for all Corus employees and contractors setting out the support and advice available to them within Redcar and Cleveland.
Specialist economic development and regeneration advisors have also been called in to consider the impact of possible scenarios for the plant and what alternatives there are for securing continued employment and industries in Redcar and Cleveland.
Plans are also being drawn up to support skills development, liaising with the Learning and Skills Council, Teesside University and Redcar and Cleveland College to investigate the potential for providing training advice and guidance and the creation of an on-site access point.
The group will also be working closely with development agency One North East, which is co-ordinating the Corus Response Group.
If you are affected by the proposed closure, please contact 01642-442992 for confidential advice and information.
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