Action looms over staff reductions

Members of the Unite general union at Redcar Huntsman Polyurethanes have voted in favour of strike action over the company’s plans to “dangerously” reduce staff levels at the plant.

Nearly 50 highly skilled and specialist production process technicians manage the safe operation of the plant in Wilton on a round-the-clock basis.

They ensure it can be shutdown and contained safely in case of emergency.

The plant produces aniline, a raw product for use in various industries which can create toxic gas clouds and is extremely hazardous, the union reported. It is part of the Teeside Chemical Cluster and is registered as a Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) site.

The company is not proposing redundancies, but says it will not replace retiring workers. It claims shutdown procedures at the plant will be safe, but Unite members are strenuously contesting this.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said that members at the plant were “seriously concerned about public safety” should the company proceed with its plans.

And Unite regional coordinating officer Mark Sanderson said: “Our members have listened to the company and proposed reasonable and safe accommodations to cut costs, which have been ignored.”

He added: “They have had absolutely no choice but to vote for strike action on the grounds of public safety. This dispute will continue until Huntsman stops these dangerous plans.”