Steel marchers brave rain as Murray admits interest

Former Rangers chairman Sir David Murray is in talks over the future of threatened steel plants in Motherwell and Cambuslang.
Marchers brave the rain on their way from Dalzell to Ravenscraig.Marchers brave the rain on their way from Dalzell to Ravenscraig.
Marchers brave the rain on their way from Dalzell to Ravenscraig.

Hope emerged that the steel magnate could help save the jobs of Dalzell and Clydebridge workers as a march in support of the plants took place in Motherwell.

Workers joined political and community leaders to walk from Dalzell to Ravenscraig. It was estimated that around 300 people braved the elements to take part.

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Sir David, who made his fortune in the steel industry, confirmed he has met Scottish Government officials and Tata Steel bosses since the announcement last month that Dalzell and Clydebridge are to be mothballed with the loss of 270 jobs.

Saturday’s march was organised by Motherwell and Wishaw Labour Party.

Earlier, local MSP John Pentland had tabled a motion on ‘Save Our Steel’ in the Scottish Parliament.

Mr Pentland said: “The threat to our steel workers’ jobs is a direct consequence of unfair competition in the global market. It is not the fault of the workers and, morally, they don’t deserve to pay the price.

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“Economically, saving our steel industry is the right thing to do. The hundreds of jobs in the Scottish steel plants are directly linked to thousands in service, manufacturing and construction, and tens of thousands in the wider local and Scottish economy, which are also under threat.

“We need a steel industry and should do more to protect it. Other countries consider their steel industry too important to allow it to go to the wall. If threatened, they do what needs to be done to safeguard their industry. Take away our manufacturing capabilities and you will make us dependent on others.”

More on the steel march in this week’s Times & Speaker, out on Wednesday.

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