It is reported that almost 2,000 jobs under threat at a Teesside steel plant could be saved. The Teesside Cast Products site may be forced to close after a four company consortium backed out of plans to buy its output for the next 5 years.

However, the Community union has revealed it has made a significant breakthrough with the consortium as well as owners Corus. The union, which represents the majority of the workers, is hopeful talks over commercial options could safeguard the future of the plant.

Mr Michael Leahy general secretary of the union said that "It’s taken a lot of conversations between Community, the highest levels of government, TATA, Corus and the consortium but we finally have agreement that the two parties will sit down to try and find a solution that could save the future of Teesside steelmaking.

He added that "We are pressing for Corus and the consortium to set a date as soon as possible. We do not know if their meeting will be a party or a wake but the most important point is that all sides enter discussions mindful of the thousands of jobs and the community on Teesside that are depending on a deal."

(Sourced from www.cnplus.co.uk)