Strike action threat over as Essar's Stanlow refinery workers accept new pay deal

More than 400 employees had voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action back in September

The threat of industrial action by hundreds of Stanlow oil refinery workers has ended after a new pay deal was accepted.

Back in September, more than 400 workers at Essar's Ellesmere Port site voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action.

After trade union Unite had secured the mandate for industrial action, further negotiations were held with Essar and a revised offer was put to members - which has now been accepted.

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Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "This was a highly complicated dispute and it is good news that members of Unite have felt able to accept the vastly improved offer.

“Unite does exactly what it says on the union tin: fight to defend our members’ jobs, pay and conditions.

"The pay and conditions deal for workers at Stanlow demonstrates this approach is paying dividends for Unite members.”

The union said workers have accepted a deal which provides a backdated pay increase from January 2021 of 1.5 per cent, and they will also receive a further pay increase of 6.2 per cent from January 2022.

A bonus payment will also be paid in full, while a satisfactory outcome on the pensions issue was also agreed, according to Unite.

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Unite regional co-ordinating officer Mick Chalmers said: “The fantastic ballot result by our members was the catalyst to ensure that Essar had to enter into serious negotiations and a fair resolution could be agreed.

"This deal is important in the long-term as it will greatly assist in the transition of Stanlow from being an oil refinery into a hub for low carbon energy."

Essar said it has reached an agreement with Unite following negotiations over pensions, pay and bonuses.

The agreement includes the closure of the defined benefit pension scheme, as well as the creation of new company/representative forums.

Essar's CEO, Deepak Maheshwari, said: “We welcome the agreement and acknowledge the constructive approach Unite has taken throughout discussions.

"This agreement is a key step in the planned evolution of our Stanlow Refinery, helping reduce the business’s future liabilities and ensuring we are well placed to attract the investment necessary to deliver our low carbon transformation plans.

"This agreement will help ensure the region is able to power the UK’s low carbon revolution for decades to come.”