Corus has announced proposals to improve the competitiveness of its Scunthorpe site in North East England by aligning employment cost with anticipated steel demand. It said that as a result, 366 jobs are identified as being at risk.

It said that “Consultations with employees and their representatives have begun on the Scunthorpe site. Wherever possible, Corus will seek voluntary redundancies, while at the same time ensuring that critical skills are retained. Support packages will be available to those leaving the company.”

Mr Michael Leahy general secretary of the steelworkers' union Community said that the latest cuts added insult to injury for the workforce. He added that "We keep hoping the job losses are ending and then another announcement comes along. We were disappointed an agreement could not be reached that would prevent job losses. Unfortunately, Corus did not put all their cards on the table during the negotiations. Community will be supporting our members throughout the consultation period and opposing hard redundancies. What Corus needs to prove is that these cuts will make steelmaking in Scunthorpe fit for the future, not fit for the scrapheap."

Mr John Wilson senior officer of the GMB union said that "With this further announcement, there is an even greater need for urgency from government to secure this bedrock manufacturing industry and reassure the local community."

Mr Terry Pye, national officer of Unite, said that "We will be seeking urgent discussions with Corus on this latest announcement. However, we cannot keep moving from crisis to crisis, and it is time for the government to step up and act."

Corus had said last month that it could cut up to 2,045 more jobs, mostly in Britain, as it battles the downturn. It has now shed almost 6,000 jobs since the start of 2009. It had also announced plans in January to cut 3,500 jobs worldwide, including 2,500 in Britain.

(Sourced from www.afp.com)