THE region's biggest union has accused the owners of the Alcan smelter in Lynemouth of not doing enough to keep it open.
The GMB says Rio Tinto had rejected one offer for the smelter it felt was not financially viable, while interest from other parties had failed to progress to even talks.
It wants the company to provide the names of possible interested parties to see if the Government could help keep open the site where 515 jobs are at risk.
The GMB also claimed Rio Tinto had suggested parts of the site could be kept open after it and the Unite union held their first meeting with the company as part of a 90-day consultation period ahead of closure.
The sale of the power station – which employs 111 people – could be completed in the near future, according to the GMB.
Keir Howe, regional organiser for the GMB, said: “The GMB believes Rio Tinto Alcan is not prepared to fight to save the full smelter site and have demonstrated this over the last few months both through their actions, inaction and words.
“However, management outlined there is a possibility that they could retain three sections of the smelter if they can be run competitively and sustainably, these include carbon, casting and the port and would run on reduced manpower and costs. We will continue to push the case to save the whole site whilst also exploring any other avenues to save jobs in casting, carbon and the port.”
Urging the company to provide names of potential bidders, Mrs Howe added: “We await disclosure of this information by the company and will be disappointed if this is not forthcoming.
“We will continue to fight to save the site and the jobs of hundreds of workers and will be meeting the company again this week. We will continue to work with the local MPs, council and any other bodies and organisations to promote the sale and save jobs. We continue to pressurise the Government on this matter.”
