Trade unions representing workers of Tata Steel in the UK yesterday announced "strike action" on June 22 over proposed changes to the company's pension scheme -- the biggest industrial action in the UK in nearly three decades.
"TSUK (Tata Steel UK Limited) has not received any formal notice from the Unions with respect to the said strike," the steel giant said in a filing to the BSE.
It said "TSUK - indirect subsidiary of Tata Steel Limited has learnt of the strike from the press statement issued by the Unions" and " TSUK will issue appropriate statements upon receiving formal notice. "Accordingly, the Company (Tata Steel Limited) will make necessary disclosures to the exchanges and investors at the appropriate time."
The "strike action" will be preceded by the employees refraining from over-time and observing work-to-rule next week in the escalating dispute.
"Steel unions have agreed Monday June 22 as the date for strike action at Tata Steel in their ongoing pensions dispute," Community union, which has the largest number of members who are employed at Tata Steel has said.
However, the UK's largest union Unite had said it is still open to talks if Tatas are ready for meaningful discussions.
A Tata Steel spokesman had said: "Everyone agrees that changes need to be made to resolve the challenges facing our pension scheme, which has a projected shortfall of over 2 billion pounds. We will soon be announcing new measures which will lessen the impact of the proposed pension changes, particularly on our longest-serving employees nearing retirement age."
Four steel unions - Community, Unite, GMB and Ucatt - began voting on the nature of industrial action against changes to their British Steel Pension Scheme in early May.
He had told Parliament that discussions with Tata Steel had been kicked off "about the steps we are taking for high energy intensive industries and the help that we can give".
Tata Steel shares were trading at Rs 305 apiece, up 0.71 per cent, on the BSE.