It is reported that union chiefs have called a national meeting after claiming relations with a steel giants have become increasingly tense. Community union representatives refused to rule out industrial action in a dispute with Corus.

Delegates from the union, which represents most of the workers at the steel company, spoke out after the news that Corus was restarting a blast furnace at Port Talbot plant in South Wales. Community and other Corus unions have called a one day national conference for September 17th 2009.

Mr Michael J Leahy Community Union General Secretary said that "We will hear directly from our delegates from across the country about what is the most appropriate next step. Our members will have the final say on any decision but, despite this piece of good news, the company's deliberate antagonism means that we simply cannot rule out industrial action."

Community said that Corus has announced plans to close the British Steel pension scheme to new members and has failed to pay bonuses to workers.

Union chiefs said that these issues, among others, were causing increasing tension between the company and the trade unions. It culminated in the walkout by Community representatives from a meeting with Corus Long Products, which includes the plant in Brenda Road, Hartlepool. The Long Products division takes in steelworks across the Tees Valley including Hartlepool, Redcar, Lackenby and Skinningrove.

In June 2009, the Mail reported how Corus was proposing to cut 367 jobs which included 156 from the 640 strong workforce at the mills in Brenda Road.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough FC will hold events at tomorrow's home game with Ipswich Town to back dole threatened steelworkers.

(Sourced from www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk)