“1,000 jobs are at risk” as Unite search for new owners for refinery

The union Unite says it is looking to safeguard the 1,000 jobs “at risk” from the closure of the Coryton oil refinery in Essex. Its owners, Swiss-firm Petroplus, have filed […]

The union Unite says it is looking to safeguard the 1,000 jobs “at risk” from the closure of the Coryton oil refinery in Essex. Its owners, Swiss-firm Petroplus, have filed for bankruptcy, putting the long-term existence of the plant and the jobs of its staff into question.

Linda McCulloch, Unite’s national officer said the union would do all they could to find a new owner: “1,000 jobs are at risk but we firmly believe that joint action by the owners and government can help secure the business. We are in constant dialogue with Petroplus and its Swiss owners and the UK government about solutions to these developments.”

Unite are due to meet the plant’s workforce on Thursday to update them on the situation.

The refinery supplies 20% of the fuel supply for the south east of England.

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