27 November 2025
RMT Press Office:
RMT members employed by Svitzer Terminals at Fawley Esso Refinery have voted overwhelmingly for strike action following the company’s continued failure to resolve the long-running dispute over contractual sick pay.
The dispute originates from the TUPE transfer of staff from Solent Towage to Svitzer Terminals, after the company failed to apply sick pay properly in line with long-standing practices.
RMT has made multiple attempts over months to resolve the issue through talks but these have failed.
This dispute affects all grades employed onboard the Svitzer tugs operating out of the refinery.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: "This is a fantastic result and our members have delivered a clear message that they will not tolerate Svitzer's behaviour or mismanagement any longer.
"The dispute has been allowed to drag on for far too long, all due to the company's refusal to uphold long established practices.
"Management still has time to put this matter right but any more delays will mean industrial action is inevitable."
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PHOTO: By Peter Facey, CC BY-SA 2.0,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1311191
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