STEELWORKERS delivered a petition to the Welsh Parliament today, signed by 30,000 people calling on politicians to support British steel.

The petition is part of Unite’s campaign to secure the sector’s future and follows its members in Wales voting for industrial action over plans to cut almost 3,000 jobs.

The GMB and Community unions are currently balloting their members for industrial action at the UK’s largest steelworks in Port Talbot and Tata Steel’s site in Llanwern near Newport.

The union says the petition sends a clear message to Westminster that Wales and the rest of Britain needs a strong steel industry.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The UK government’s lack of support or any long-term plan for steel is being used by Tata to push through unnecessary and destructive plans on its workers. 

“In Germany, France and the Netherlands capacity is being retained and jobs protected as the sector transitions to green steel.

“An incoming Labour government will invest £3 billion in UK steel. All Tata has to do is wait a few months.”

Tata steelworker Ian Williams said: “It’s not good enough for politicians to sit by and watch the decimation of these communities.

“The way we have been treated is a disgrace and workers are sick of being in limbo, not knowing whether they will have a job in a few weeks.

“The UK government need to act and they need to act now.”

Plaid Cymru economy spokesman Luke Fletcher said: “It’s inspiring to see a strong collective voice making demands of those in power.

“This petition is a powerful reminder of the urgent need for robust support for the UK steel industry.”