Tata Steel UK approaches ACAS to settle pension dispute
Tata Steel has approached the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) to resolve its dispute with four unions which plan to go on strike on 22 June.
Unite, Community, GMB and Ucatt have decided to walk out over Tata Steel plans to close the British Steel pension scheme (BSPS) and make employees work five more years to get their full pension.
At present, workers can retire at the age of 60 without an actuarial reduction in their pension.
David Cameron was asked by MP Tom Blenkinsop, who chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Steel, to bring the company back to the negotiating table at Prime Minister's Questions.
The company's executive director of human resources Tor Farquhar said: "We have contacted ACAS to bring in independent expertise in mediating a resolution to the UK pension dispute. We have requested ACAS to immediately approach the National Trade Union Steel Coordinating Committee to ask them to attend talks."
Farquhar added: "We have been talking to the trade unions since November 2014 to develop a fair and sustainable pension scheme for all UK employees.
"The company and unions agree that changes need to be made to tackle the scheme's projected shortfall of up to £2bn."
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