In January, Tata Metal introduced it was ending main steelmaking in Port Talbot. The city is understood for 2 enormous blast furnaces and its huge steelworks that has offered employment for many years. George McDonagh travelled there to see how folks had been reacting. He met Gareth Edwards, who had spent 30 years working there and was frightened in regards to the 1000’s of jobs that might be misplaced.
Tata stated it was shedding £1m a day on the website and {that a} change to greener electrical arc furnaces, which change scrap steel into new metal, was wanted. However in Port Talbot there was concern that this may imply they had been destined to comply with the destiny of different metal cities which have slumped into decline as soon as the furnaces closed.
In early summer time, industrial motion started and McDonagh returned to the city to speak to union members and staff about their battle to avoid wasting jobs. He discovered in regards to the union’s plan for a slower tempo of change. However because the yr wore on he returned to listen to of the frustration when that plan was rebuffed, and in autumn the furnaces lastly shut. In winter, as a subdued city started to return to phrases with its new future, he spoke to Edwards once more. Alongside unhappiness and resignation, he discovered some cussed hope – that there was an opportunity of recent, inexperienced jobs that might revive the city as soon as extra.
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