On June 15, the union attacked the British government for robbing almost 1,000 workers of their jobs at Coryton, Essex, by refusing to back the plant, which employs over 500 people and supplies 20 percent of fuel in London and the South East.
The Unite also called on UK Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey and his ministers to “get in their limos” and explain to the 850 workers why no state aid is forthcoming to keep the refinery going until the administrators can find a buyer.
“Today we have seen the clearest evidence possible of the double standards operated by this economically disreputable coalition,” said Unite general secretary Len McCluskey.
“Last night Chancellor George Osborne pledged to pump at least £100bn into the banking system to boost lending, which bankers should be doing anyway as that’s their job, in an attempt to build a financial firewall” against Greece, he added.
However, a government spokesman said, “If government did step in to help Coryton … it could potentially lead to job losses at other refineries who would be at an unfair disadvantage to Coryton.”
Meanwhile, workers, families and supporters from the threatened Coryton oil refinery are expected to hold a demonstration titled “Stop the jobs massacre! Support the Coryton oil refinery workers!” in Central London on June 18.
SSM/PKH/HE
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