Campaigners from a UK steel plant have been given an eleventh hour extension to fight for its survival [rep].
Teesside Cast Products, based in Redcar, will continue its operations until the end of February or until all steel components have run out, following ongoing campaigns to save the thousands of jobs.
The plant was due to be closed at the end of January so it is hoped the brief respite will provide additional leverage for the industry to secure its future.
Community Union general secretary Michael J Leahy told the BBC: "These additional weeks will provide valuable time to find an alternative future for steelmaking on Teesside."
As part of an inquiry into the steel industry, a parliamentary committee is set to review the issue in the House of Commons tomorrow (Tuesday January 19th) with the hope that Teesside will retain its position as a leading provider of steel components such as stainless steel containers.
If the plant was to close around 4,000 jobs would be indirectly affected, of which 2,000 would be from the Teesside area and a further 1,000 contractor jobs could also be affected, according to a report on the BBC.
The closure would affect manufacturing companies across the UK who currently purchase steel components and steel slabs from the troubled plant.
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