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date: 4 December 2009

embargo: for immediate release

TUC Calls for action in Steel Industry

Comment on today's announcement to mothball Teesside Steel productions.

Kevin Rowan, Regional Secretary, Northern TUC said: 'Today's announcement is a devastating blow for thousands of families in Teesside, in addition to the 1700 workers directly affected by today's statement there are also real fears now for workers in ancillary services and in the wider community. This will be a real body blow to the whole of Tees Valley.

'There is clearly a need for action to support those individuals affected by this decision to ensure they receive the best quality advice and guidance as soon as possible.

'The company have cited costs and recession as the factors behind this decision. Economically this is a real backwards step in the regional economy; we know that there will be a massive increase in demand for steel as the economy picks up, the much discussed offshore wind sector alone will produce among the highest demand for steel for a generation. Mothballing TCP will make meeting that demand much harder; it will also guarantee that workers in the north east will not benefit from this upturn.

'There is an extremely strong case for government intervention in this industry now; keeping TCP alive in the short-term would provide real long-term benefits for the whole regional economy.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Register for the TUC's press extranet: a service exclusive to journalists wanting to access pre-embargo releases and reports from the TUC. Visit www.tuc.org.uk/pressextranet

Contacts:

Media enquiries: Kevin Rowan T: 0191 227 5550; M: 07766250074 E: krowan@tuc.org.uk

Press release (300 words) issued 4 Dec 2009