It is reported that steelworkers at Redcar's troubled Teesside Cast Products plant could be caught up in an increasingly bitter battle over unpaid bonuses, which elsewhere is drawing close to strike action.

It follows a decision at Corus' tubes mill in Hartlepool to vote on a walk out after the company failed to pay the last two quarterly bonuses. Corus says it will not release money until talks over the 2009-10 bonus round conclude. Now, TCP and Scunthorpe have formally filed a failure to agree, which could trigger a ballot.

A source said workers were upset and frustrated at the company’s stance. It added that "Through the recession the workforce have lost numbers and contributed to sustaining the company across the UK. They are rewarded by the company pinching their bonuses off them. People assume that if you are a steel worker you earn fantastic money. But we have people earning GBP 15,000. What used to be perceived as a good wage is now an average wage for a very hard job."

TCP bosses will be anxious to avert any action that could jeopardize a deal for TCP.

(Sourced from www.nebusiness.co.uk)