Threatened steelmen want to buy plant

The Gorseinon plant was thought to be efficient

Workers at one of south Wales's threatened steel plants have told Welsh Assembly First Minister that they would like to buy the plant if Corus is not prepared to keep it open.

Mr Morgan met with employees at Bryngwyn steelworks in Gorseinon on Thursday to discuss Corus' decision to cut 130 jobs at the plant - along with thousands more jobs in other plants around Wales.

Union leaders are attempting to save130 jobs at the Bryngwyn plant near Gorseinon - along with thousands more axed by Corus around Wales.

Rhodri Morgan: Aiming to save steel jobs

Bryngwyn was a surprise inclusion when Corus announced its round of cutbacks earlier this month.

The small works which specialises in coloured steels was thought to be a highly-efficient operation.

News of its closure meant a double jobs blow for the Gorseinon area.

The nearby Valeo car components plant - owned by a profitable French company - is also to close with the loss of another 300 jobs.

The ISTC have presented Corus with rescue plans that would keep Bryngwyn open - and preserve the other 3,000 steel jobs that are under threat in Wales.

Corus is expected to respond to the plan in mid-March.

In the meantime, the unions want politicians to maintain pressure on the company to think again.

Legal challenge

The Welsh Assembly is considering possible legal action to prevent the loss of the jobs.

The Assembly's chief legal officer - the Counsel-General - is looking at ways of preventing the massive cutbacks.

Options which are being considered include a challenge under European law against the complete closure of the Ebbw Vale plant and the end of heavy production at Llanwern near Newport.