Unite union warns of potential “significant disruption’ as 300 contractors at ExxonMobil oil refinery in Fawley consider further strike action over pay
A UNION has warned of potential “significant disruption” at Fawley’s oil refinery as contractors consider further strike action in a row over pay.
Unite has confirmed around 300 engineering construction workers at the ExxonMobil oil refinery, who carry out repair and maintenance, are “angry” after agreeing to a pay freeze during the pandemic.
It says despite “rocketing” inflation and huge increases to the cost of living, the Engineering Construction Industry Association (ECIA), which negotiates with the trade unions, initially refused to reopen talks through 2022.
However, after campaigning by Unite, the ECIA eventually made an agreement in February 2023, which ends in December.
A further offer put forward for 2024 and 2025, which averages an increase of 6% per year, was previously rejected by workers.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This offer is completely unacceptable when the oil industry is awash with profits. It does nothing to reverse the shrinking value of these workers’ wages over successive years.
“It also ties these workers into gambling on the economy and inflation in 2024 and 2025 when their finances have already been battered by increasingly unpredictable market forces.
“Unite stands rock solid with our NAECI members – the ECIA must come back with an acceptable offer.”
The ballot will close in mid-October, with strike action scheduled to start later that month.
Unite national officer Jason Poulter added: “The anger amongst our membership is such that we are balloting for strike action.
“The ECIA must acknowledge that without a better offer, falling recruitment and retention for NAECI roles will only get worse.
“Any disruption caused by potential strikes lies squarely at their door – a much improved offer needs to be put forward if this dispute is not to escalate into industrial action.”
The A&T has approached ExxonMobil for comment.
