STEEL unions welcomed the resumption of talks with Tata Steel today after Unite called off its strike due to start next week. 

The union’s decision follows confirmation from the Indian steel giant at the weekend that it is now prepared to enter negotiations about future investment for its operations in south Wales and not just redundancies.

Community’s national officer Alun Davies said: “With thousands of jobs at stake, we welcome Unite’s decision to withdraw its strike action and get back around the table with its sister steel unions.

“Tata confirmed that it is ready to resume discussions on a potential memorandum of understanding through the multiunion steel committee which is chaired by Community.”

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a significant development in the battle to protect jobs and the long-term future of steel making in south Wales. 

“This breakthrough would not have come about without the courage of our members at Port Talbot who were prepared to stand up and fight for their jobs. 

“It is essential that these talks progress swiftly and in good faith with the focus on fresh investment and ensuring the long-term continuation of steel making in south Wales.”

Unite’s 1,500 members at Tata in south Wales began an overtime ban and work to rule on June 17 and were due to start an all-out strike from next Monday. 

Last Thursday, Tata said it would close both furnaces within days unless it could “safely and stably operate” them during the strike.

Then it wrote to all three unions at the weekend, offering to begin new talks if the strike was called off.

The firm says the talks will not renegotiate the existing plan but will focus on future investment opportunities.

The Conservative government has already promised the firm a £500 million grant towards developing a £1.25 billion electric-arc furnace which recycles scrap metal but requires less staff. 

Labour politicians have urged Tata Steel bosses to avoid taking action that cannot be reversed before the general election result, with Aberavon Senedd Member David Rees highlighting “the prospect of sitting down with an incoming Labour government to discuss its promised £2.5bn steel renewal fund.”

Last week, workers were told that because of Unite’s strike, Tata could no longer be assured of sufficient resources being available to ensure safe and stable operations.

A message to employees said: “Therefore, we are left with no alternative but to take preparatory steps to cease operations on both blast furnaces and safely isolate them no later than July 7.”

Welsh Green leader Anthony Slaughter writing in yesterday’s Morning Star said the threat of earlier closure of the plant by Tata Steel highlighted the need for a long-term industrial strategy that ensures a just transition to the green industries of the future.

“Workers and communities must be at the heart of planning this strategy ensuring a transition that works for all,” Mr Slaughter said.