SECURITY staff at Fawley oil refinery have been handed a 31 per cent pay rise.

GMB, the union that represents security personnel, said Securitas employees at the refinery had voted unanimously to accept the inflation-busting increase.

GMB organising assistant David McMullen praised what he described as the collective strength and resolve shown by the workers.

"By sticking together they were able to secure a pay settlement that better met their expectations," he said. 

"Securitas agreed that this levelling up was needed to help bring their workers’ pay in line with competitors.

“We were clear to Securitas from the off that we couldn’t continue with pay offers that would not allow our members to pay their soaring energy bills and other costs that were making it hard to live. 

“Our members held their nerve and waited patiently despite delays in talks whilst Securitas negotiated with their client, ExxonMobil.

"Given the vast profits generated by the oil industry, it's excellent to see some of this wealth finally trickling down to our members who rightly deserve a fair pay rise.

“GMB members working in security across the country are now finally seeing better pay settlements because of their unity and union membership."

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