Strikes avoided at Stanlow Oil Refinery as deal struck

Strike action was due to begin on July 18, but was called off after employers agreed to fresh talk

Strike action by 450 construction workers at Stanlow Oil Renfinery has been called off after a deal was struck late on Friday (August 4). The workers, employed by several different contractors at the site, voted last month to take industrial action over pay.

The workers operate under the National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry (NAECI). Strike action was due to begin on July 18, but was called off after employers agreed to fresh talks on the bonus rate.

The deal struck on Friday sees the hourly bonus rate was increased from 80p per hour to the maximum £2.37 per hour, representing a 300 per cent increase. When the walk out was announced on July 17, Unite warned of 'major disruption' at the site, which produces 16 per cent of the UK's road transport fuel.

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Workers covered by the NAECI agreement have taken industrial action at sites throughout the UK. Workers have been campaigning to increase pay against a backdrop of rising inflation.

The Unite and GMB unions were involved in the talks. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is an excellent result which was achieved by workers coming together and maintaining a unified front.

"Unite had been clear from the outset that the employers and the client could fully afford to increase the bonus payment and that proved to be entirely the case."

Unite regional officer Lee Brennan said: “This pay victory could not have been achieved without the hard work and commitment of Unite’s stewards and reps who despite working for different employers were able to come together in unity. This forced the employers to return to the negotiating table and make a vastly improved offer.”

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