Tata Steel workers march to save Scottish plants

London: Tata Steel workers from two of the the Indian steel giant's Scottish plants set to be mothballed Saturday took out a march in an attempt to save them from closure.

The workers, joined by councillors and Labour party members, are calling for action by the Scottish and UK governments to protect the steel industry and its jobs, days after Britain's biggest steelmaker announced the lay-off under a restructuring deal.

Up to 270 jobs could be lost under Tata Steel's plans to mothball Dalzell and Clydebridge steel plants along with 900 posts at the firm's facility in Scunthorpe.

A total of 225 jobs are threatened at the Dalzell plate- rolling works in Motherwell, along with 45 posts at the Clydebridge plant in Cambuslang region of Scotland.

Tata, along with a number of other steel companies operating in Europe, has blamed cheap Chinese imports and high energy costs for a collapse in steel prices.

Community union representative Derek Fearon said: "We are trying to raise awareness of the campaign, and hopefully through this Tata will become a responsible seller.

"The main aim of the taskforce, the priority of it, is for the two plants to remain open. The mood is upbeat, the guys are still positive that everything can be done for the two plants to be saved."

The Scottish government has pledged to do everything possible to keep the plants operational, with its preferred option being to find a buyer.

However, ministers have not ruled out moves to bring both facilities under public ownership.

A Scottish Steel Task Force, chaired by business minister Fergus Ewing, and including representatives from trade unions and Tata, as well as local councils, met last week to discuss the way forward.