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Tanker strike off – only just
A strike by tanker drivers was averted in May with drivers voting narrowly to ac- cept proposals tabled after eight days of talks at Acas.
Unite warned that the overall narrow ‘yes’ vote left the companies with no room for complacency. The union stressed that fundamental problems re- main in the industry with urgent action needed to halt the race to the bottom and bring stability and security to the supply of a vital commodity.
Unite will build on the Acas agreement by implementing its proposals and ensur- ing the employers and the government stick to their side of the bargain and con- tinuing the campaign to protect stan- dards and for minimum standards.
Unite assistant general secre- tary Diana Holland said, “The narrow vote in favour should be a ‘wake-up’ call for an industry riddled with deep seated problems. This is why we are writing to the energy and climate change select committee
urging them to investigate the instability in the
industry.” Coryton refinery CHEMICALS Coryton must stay
Over 100 people, including Unite members demonstrated outside threatened Coryton oil refinery, in June, amid warnings that its closure could see over £100m drained from the economy. They then leafleted the nearest town centre to gain the support of local businesses.
The community action has followed warnings from the leader of Thurrock council and Unite that the economic impact of the refinery’s closure would be huge. Nearly
DOCKS Dockers strike
Dockers at Tilbury have now twice staged strike in their dispute with Enterprise Distribution Centre (EDC) over the arbitrary introduc- tion of new contracts.
Unite regional officer Jane Jeffery said, “Members are not prepared to
8 uniteWORKS July/August 2012
lose, on average, £2,500-a-year be- cause the company has decided to arbitrarily introduce new contracts which are very detrimental to their living standards.”
Further action is planned over the summer if no agreement is reached.
1,000 people working at Coryton face losing their jobs, if the closure goes ahead. Coryton is one of the most productive refineries in Europe.
Unite criticised plans to begin the phased shut down without a full economic or environmental assessment being carried out. It also urged the government to follow the lead of the French government and give state aid to keep Coryton going until a buyer can be found.
Mark Thomas
Peter Everard-Smith
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