British Steel on the verge of collapse

[steeplejack]

Tata have now called off early closure of Port Talbot pending further discussion!

Expect Nic Dakin to get back in, in Scunthorpe, and be an important voice for the steel industry in the next parliament.

Labour are making noises sbout an industrial plan & talking of backing steel communities but of course what should be done- nationalising without compensation & investing in a secure future for a vital industry in public hands- is not being remotely considered.

 

[gosub]

I heard a steel worker on R4 yesterday. Electric arc furnaces can only recycle steel, they cannot make steel from iron ore.

Can you make warship steel with them?

 

[Sasaferrato]

Can you make warship steel with them?

Don't know.

 

[gosub]

Even when we were in the EU (given how it developed out of European Coal and Steel) making warships was the one thing that was allowed protectionism - out of National Interest.


If we had proper journalism it's a question that would be asked

 

[WouldBe]

Can you make warship steel with them?

Why couldn't you?

 

[planetgeli]

Tata have now called off early closure of Port Talbot pending further discussion!

Why the exclamation mark? It's shit. Tata have effectively held Unite to ransom with the threat of immediate closure and it's worked. They are still shutting down one furnace and you can bet your life the second WILL follow in September. Tata are still taking Unite to court over the ballot. Any negotiations will be about future investment. Don't hold your breath. Tata want out of Port Talbot and it looks like they are getting their own way.

The stupid divide between 3 different unions at the plant doesn't help either.

 

[gosub]

Why couldn't you?

It was a genuine question. I don't know...but different steels have different recipes and different cooking techniques

 

[WouldBe]

It was a genuine question. I don't know...but different steels have different recipes and different cooking techniques

But all made from iron / steel. So once you've extracted the iron from the ore that can then be remelted in an arc furnace (like they have in Wales) to produce whatever grade / type of steel you like.

 

[gosub]

But all made from iron / steel. So once you've extracted the iron from the ore that can then be remelted in an arc furnace (like they have in Wales) to produce whatever grade / type of steel you like.

Like I said...I don't know...but nit necessarily

 

[WouldBe]

Like I said...I don't know...but nit necessarily

I've just told you you can. Why would steel for a warship be different?

 

[gosub]

I've just told you you can. Why would steel for a warship be different?

I have mates who work foundries of metals other than steel. Its quite a skilled and technical job.

 

[WouldBe]

I have mates who work foundries of metals other than steel. Its quite a skilled and technical job.

Yes and it's being made at a steel works (the subject of this thread).

 

[hitmouse]

The fight for steel​

Let’s show we are united in defending jobs and our communities! Unite the union is hosting a fun filled day for the whole family.


WHEN: Sunday 1 September 11:00-14:00
WHERE: The SCOW, Abbots Close, SA13 2NF


Come along with friends, family and supporters for a community lunch and a day packed with fun. We have organised lots of free activities – Live music, bouncy castle, face painting, crafts and games and much more. Tata Steel workers will have an opportunity to discuss the campaign's next steps with Unite reps and officers, and have the opportunity to find out more about the Welsh Learning Fund.


All welcome, let’s show we are united in defending jobs and our communities! For more information, contact Jodie on 07711 347 650

 

[stethoscope]

Very sad. Labour seem to be nowhere on this. Plenty need for quality steel which we could have used in this country for infrastructure building (but usual govt dithering on that). And transition to greener alternatives are going to take years to mature so we should have nationalised now in order to manage that shift carefully, preserve jobs and supply chains, and re-train workers.

Tata Steel: Port Talbot's second blast furnace closes

Tata Steel closes its blast furnaces in Port Talbot with the expected loss of 3,000 jobs UK-wide.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[steeplejack]

Port Talbot has captured the imagination of a couple of photographers in the last years. Some documentation of PT blast furnace's last day.

Czechia's Viktor Macha, who has been running the Beauty of Steel project since 2008:



Press photo of the last shift at Blast Furnace no. 4:



Jon Pountney's shot of night falling on the blast furnace:





The "death roar" of the blast furnace being shut down for the last time before being completely closed off tomorrow.




Just Scunthorpe left standing as a blast furnace now and I suspect only because the Chinese seem to be still wanting someone else to pay for electric arc conversion. A sad state of affairs, and a sad day for industry.

 

[Smokeandsteam]

The silence from Labour is pitiful. But that’s for another day. Tonight I just feel gutted for the worker, their families and the community around Port Talbot.

 

[steeplejack]

Re-nationalisation of British Steel being considered by UK government

Jingye want the profits and none of the liabilities for investment in electric arc, or maintenance.

The British government need to tell them do do one, nationalise without compensation, and start thinking seriously about the importance of steel making for the future. A long way to go but encouraging that this is being considered- despite some of the irritating language in here.

 

[brogdale]

Yep, but the thing is, if any minister dared to go off script and say that quiet bit out loud, the party machine would suddenly discover new evidence about some petty criminal act in their past.