Corus fights back

STEELWORKERS received a Christmas boost when it was revealed this week that steel firm Corus was back in the black after turning around £12 million monthly losses.

The engineering steels business of the company, which runs Rotherham's Aldwarke works and a plant at Stocksbridge, is now breaking even after losing between £12 million and £14 million a month, according to Rotherham MP Denis MacShane and unions.

Dr MacShane said the news meant workers and management at both sites could now be more optimistic about the New Year.

The MP said: "It is tremendous news that our local Corus engineering steels business is now back in the black."

He said Corus divisional director Phil Dryden had done a great job, though much of the credit went to trade union leadership locally which had sought to cooperate to keep steel alive in Rotherham.