Steel workers win bonuses battle

Hundreds of Teesside steel workers have won their battle to see bonuses put back in their wage packets.

Corus workers in Hartlepool were being balloted on strike action after union bosses said the firm had gone back on a pledge to pay quarterly bonuses.

But the company said it would now pay the outstanding bonuses for April to September because it expects to achieve its upcoming financial targets.

The bonus is based on agreements dating back 30 years.

"Door open"

Community Union national officer for Steel, Roy Rickhuss, said: "This shows the true value of the Community Union membership, as we've led the campaign to win back the bonus.

"Community left no stone unturned in seeking a way to get back what our members worked hard for.

"We were preparing for industrial action and we always left the door open for dialogue with the company."

A spokesman for Corus said: "Corus is pleased to confirm that it has advised the Trade Unions that it will pay outstanding UK bonuses for April-September 2009.

"This decision was reached partly because the company expects to achieve its upcoming financial targets, despite trading conditions remaining extremely challenging."