ExxonMobil Antwerp refinery to shut down during historic strike

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 to five days from Monday. ExxonMobil said it was disappointed that mediation efforts had failed and described its offer as fair, however 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 items such as petrol, diesel and raw materials to the chemical sector.

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

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

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