Partner Article

Business chiefs rally round Corus workers

After last week’s news that steelmaker Corus would be closing its Teesside Cast Products plant, putting 1,700 people out of work, North East commentators have been expressing their sympathy for the plant’s workers.

On Friday, Corus Chief executive Kirby Adams said: “We are acutely aware that this will be devastating news for our employees, our contractors, their families and the local community.

“We extend our sincere gratitude to all of them, as well as to the management team and the trade unions on Teesside, who have all worked night and day to try and avoid this outcome.

“This is the last thing we wanted and we feel deeply about what is happening. Sadly, it has become unavoidable, through no fault of our people on Teesside.”

Martin McTague, North East Policy Chairman for the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “This will have a massive impact on employment in Redcar and hamper the recovery of the economy in the region. It is important that the Government and particularly BIS responds with alacrity to help support the fantastic workforce in Redcar and help the local economy recover.”

North East MEP Fiona Hall said: “This is a major blow for Teesside which will have a huge knock-on effect on the region’s economy. The Government must act quickly to make funds available to help Corus workers find new jobs and re-train if necessary.

“It is now even more important that the Government keeps its promise to invest in big infrastructure projects in the North East to help transform the region into a low carbon economy. This will not only generate jobs but also increase the demand for steel.”

Alan Clarke, One North East Chief Executive, and chairman of the Corus Response Group said: “[The] news is a major blow to the Tees Valley economy. One North East and public sector partners are working hard to secure a prosperous future for the area’s industry. The skills and experience developed in the area will be invaluable as we strive to capture opportunities in the low carbon sector and emerging new sustainable areas such as bio-energy, logistics, oil and gas and the offshore industry in the Tees Valley.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .