Steel-strike warning

Press, 14 March 1980, Page 6

Steel-strike warning

NZPA-Reuter London The head of the main British steel union, Mr Bill Sirs, has said Britain’s steel strike will be stepped- up until a settlement is reached. His comment came after talks aimed at resolving the dispute ended inconclusively after 23 hours of hard bargaining spread over three days.

One union leader described the discussions as “a three-day charade.” Mr Sirs, leader of the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation, said the negotia-

tors had come out with exactly the same offer as before — 14.4 per cent, but made up* in a , different package. . ? He said the strike would, be stepped up until there was a settlement.

.Fifty-nine pickets have been arrested after scuffles broke out with the police during a mass protest outside the ’ private Hadfield’s steel works in Sheffield.

A two-pronged picket of about 1000 men marched on the steel plant to confront the afternoon shift as they clocked on for. work.

Violence broke out; and two policemen were injured. Both were taken, to hospital, and left after treatment.

A police spokesman said the “flying pickets” had converged on the area in coaches from all parts of the North,, but most of those arrested were from South Yorkshire.

Mr Sirs said after the meeting that the British Steel Corporation had offered nothing for the union’s pay document, which B.S.C. had been asking for, and which he thought was worth an extra 4 per cent.