The threat of strike action at Essar Oil’s Stanlow refinery in Ellesmere Port over potential jobs losses has been lifted Unite said today (Tuesday 30 April) after bosses agreed to guarantee no compulsory redundancies to Unite members.

The move came after 97.7 per cent of Unite members voted overwhelmingly for strike action on a turnout of 93.3 per cent in an industrial action ballot.

Unite had been pressing Essar to “guarantee no compulsory redundancies” and commit to continuity of employment for its members after Shell announced a decision to decommission the Shell Higher Olefins Plant (SHOP) and Alcohols units, putting 155 workers at risk .

Commenting Unite regional coordinating officer Mick Chalmers said: “For the last four months Unite has been pressing Essar to guarantee no compulsory redundancies and lift the uncertainty hanging over our members’ heads in the SHOP and Alcohols plants.

“Unite has repeatedly said it is committed to working constructively with the company to redeploy those people who are at risk.

“We are very happy with Essar's decision and hope this is the start of a new positive relationship.”

ENDS

For more information please contact please contact Mick Chalmers on 07739 655302 or Alex Flynn Unite head of media and campaigns on 020 3371 2066 or 07967 665869 [email protected]

Notes to editors

Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest union with members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Len McCluskey.