Members of Unite, the UK leading union, are set to take substantial strike action at the Fawley oil refinery in Hampshire, later this month, in a dispute over bonus payments to remain an incentive on the project against rampant inflation..

Engineering construction workers

The dispute involves over 130 Unite members employed on construction engineering maintenance contracts. The workforce are split between three contractors: Altrad, Bilfinger, and Enerveo.

The dispute arose due to the rampant inflation rate. The workers, who are employed under the NAECI (National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry) agreement, were seeking to secure the maximum bonus of £2.37 an hour, to offset inflation. The employers, however, refused to pay the bonus.

Strike dates

Strike action will take place initially from Monday 21 November until Saturday 26 November with a further strike from Monday 28 November until Saturday 3 December.

Record profits

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Energy companies are making record profits of hundreds of billions, yet there is apparently no money available for our hard pressed construction workers, who are essential to ensure Fawley remains operational.

“Unite’s members are not going to meekly stand by and continue to struggle to make ends meet, when major corporations are indulging in rampant profiteering. Our workers will be receiving Unite’s unflinching support.”

Disruption expected

Due to the nature of the work undertaken by the construction workers the industrial action will result in disruption and delays to the smooth operation at Fawley.

Unite regional officer Malcolm Bonnett: “The strike action will inevitably cause serious disruption and delays across operations at Fawley but this dispute is entirely of the employers’ own making. They have had every chance to resolve this dispute through negotiation but have chosen not to do so.”

The GMB union is also involved in the dispute.

ENDS

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications officer Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235 or 0203 371 2067.

Email: [email protected]

Unite is the UK and Ireland’s leading union fighting to protect and advance jobs, pay and conditions for members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.