FAWLEY refinery could be hit by strike action over an "insulting" pay offer to contract workers at the huge petro-chemical plant.

Unite the union says supplies to airports and filling stations across the country could be hit in April if staff vote to down tools over the 2.5 per cent proposal.

A ballot of 100 workers - around one third of all contractors on the site - is due to get under way today.

Unite says some of them provide critical safety services at the refinery and claims that strike action could lead to shutdowns across the plant.

A Unite spokesperson said workers employed by three contractors - Trant Engineering, Veolia Services and Altrad Services – had received a 2.5 per cent pay offer for the next two years when the real cost of living was running at 7.8 per cent.

Unite is pressing for a one-year deal that is in line with inflation.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The employers need to take back this insulting pay offer, which is actually a cut, and think again. Our members have mounting bills to pay like everyone else, and with runaway inflation there is no way we will accept a derisory 2.5 percent for this workforce.

“This workforce did all that was asked of them by Exxon during the pandemic, changing shifts and losing out on vital overtime payments.

"They deserve so much than this from Exxon, which is making money from oil and gas hand over fist but is now pressurising the employers to cut our members’ wages. This is just unacceptable.

“Unite is totally committed to improving the jobs, pay and conditions of our members so our members at the Fawley site have our full backing in their fight for fair wages.”

Unite regional officer Malcolm Bonnett praised the workers for helping to ensure Fawley stayed "resilient" during the pandemic.

"They changed their working patterns and lost a lot in wages so they’re totally stunned to find that this is how Exxon wants the employers to repay them," he said.

“Exxon and the employers know what needs to be done to avert a strike this spring. Table a respectful offer to this workforce so we can focus on the planned redevelopment of the Fawley site and start the essential work of harmonising pay and conditions across the trades.

"We are not prepared to put up any longer with a situation where workers fall behind on wages year on year and do not enjoy the same full sick pay as managers.”

An ExxonMobil spokesperson said: ‘’We understand this matter relates to ongoing pay negotiations between members of the Unite the Union and their respective employers, which provide third-party contracting services to our operation at Fawley.
“We hope that all parties can work together to reach a swift and amicable resolution.’’