Hundreds of workers begin two weeks of strikes at ExxonMobil's Fawley oil refinery

MORE than 200 workers at ExxonMobil's oil refinery at Fawley have started two weeks of strike action this morning (Monday) over pay.

The GMB union says the walkout will "potentially" impact petrol supplies, and there were also reports on social media today of traffic delays and gridlock at Hardley roundabout.

However, ExxonMobil says operations at the site are "unaffected" and it did not anticipate an impact on fuel supplies to customers.

Nearly 100 GMB members – who work as boilermakers, welders, pipefitters, mechanical fitters and scaffolders – have joined more than 130 Unite members employed on construction engineering maintenance contracts for Altrad, Bilfinger, and Enerveo.

There was hope of a last-minute deal to prevent industrial action, but the union said an improved offer by the firms and ExxonMobil had "failed to materialise".

Bryan Hulley, GMB organiser, said: “Quite simply the employers are solely responsible for this walk-out.

“Despite the promises that they will make an offer to our members, we are yet to get a formal offer on the table.

“The belligerent stance the employers have taken – refusing to talk until the union suspend the strike – is seen by our members as just a further excuse not to find a settlement with a workforce who thoroughly deserve a pay increase.

“The companies have had ample notice of the impending dispute to get around the table to negotiate. They have simply refused and have instead worked actively to undermine a solid and collective call for fair pay, considering the incredible cost-of-living rises over the last 12 months.

“Our message is simple – we are easy to find as we will be stood at the gates of the refinery until such time as the game playing stops and real negotiations begin.

"We have now issued notice to the employers of a further two weeks action to follow the two weeks we already intend to take."

Workers wanted a maximum increase of £2.37 an hour to offset inflation – which has not been met.

A spokesperson for ExxonMobil said: "’Industrial action is not in anyone’s interest, and we ask both the trade unions and employers to work together to reach a resolution to this dispute.’’

The strike will run until Saturday, with further action between 28th November and 3rd December.

More than 2,500 staff and contractors are employed at Fawley oil refinery, which is the biggest in the UK and works through 270,000 barrels of oil a day. It claims one in five cars on the country's road run on fuel produced there.