ExxonMobil Antwerp refinery to shut down during historic strike

The ExxonMobil refinery in the Port of Antwerp will stop production from 29 June after talks between management and trade unions failed to reach an agreement.

The dispute centres on plans to cut 35 jobs from the refinery’s 735-strong workforce, as well as concerns over pay, working conditions and retirement benefits. Unions say workers are being asked to accept worse employment terms despite the refinery making strong profits.

The refinery will begin shutting down its installations this week, with production set to stop completely for five days from Monday. ExxonMobil said it was disappointed that mediation efforts had failed and described its offer as fair, but said it remains open to further talks.

The strike is significant because it will be the first time in the refinery’s 70-year history that production has been fully halted. The site processes crude oil into products such as petrol, diesel and raw materials for the chemical industry.

Antwerp port official Johan Klaps warned that the strike could damage the port’s reputation and investment climate. He said the action comes at a difficult time for Europe’s petrochemical sector, which is already facing high energy costs, geopolitical uncertainty and growing international competition.

Questions also remain about how quickly the refinery can restart operations after the strike, as the dispute between management and unions remains unresolved.

^{#FlandersNewsService | The ExxonMobil refinery in Antwerp © BELGA PHOTO KRISTOF VAN ACCOM}