Support


Robert Leigh Geelong Refinery, Australia. Dec 15th 2009	Good luck fella's, keep the faith & I wish you all well. In my 33yrs at Shell I have never seen the gap between 'THEM & US' as big as it is right now, but remember we're not refining mar's bars so stay safe!! Merry Xmas to all
Noel Whiteman CFMEU Delegate Lyondellbasell PPU Clyde Refinery, Australia Dec 13th 2009	Remember brothers United we Stand Divided we Fall. On behalf of all the operators here at Lyondellbasell (formally Shell Polyproplene but sold off years ago ) I would like to offer our full support to all the workers at Stanlow with their plight at Shell. Best wishes and good luck fellas.
Maintenance Technician Stanlow Dec 10th 2009	Well done to all the Maintenance Technicians . A dark cloud has now been lifted from above the skies' at Stanlow that has been present since Christmas 1993. A time when "The Company" really showed its true colours. Who would have thought this day would come again.
Stephen Deans Chair Unite Scotland Dec 10th 2009	Many congratulations comrades. A well deserved result for the efforts made by the leadership and Unite members at Stanlow. I am sure that this result will spur you on to many more successes. Keep up the good work. In solidarity
Bud Hudspith National H&S Adviser, Unite the Union Dec 4th 2009	All the best to all the workers at Stanlow. I hope that whatever happens the site maintains high standards of health and safety into the future and that any new owners recognise they need to make a sustained commitment to take on and improve health and safety. We expect them to meet the requirements of the Process Safety Leadership Group Report, and take on board, and implement to the full, all of the recommendations made in the wake of the Buncefield explosion. You can rely on the support of Unite in keeping good health and safety at the forefront of activities at Stanlow.
Andy Pearse, Geelong Refinery, Australia Dec 3rd 2009	As a union delegate, I have had the pleasure of visiting Stanlow on several occasions over the years. Stanlow has always been held in high regard as a site to be compared with. Our refinery management have sent us to Stanlow to see why they are able to do things better than Geelong. If this can happen to a site like Stanlow, then what can the rest of the Shell world expect? Is it a plan to try and strip every asset of its worth, and then "cut and run"? It makes me lose faith in our company motto of "honesty, integrity & respect for people". Or does that only apply to those in "upstream" businesses? Keep fighting the good fight!!
Damian Cieciura Australian Workers Union Site executive delegate. Dec 1st 2009	I am an elected representative of the 200+ operators at Shell's refinery in Geelong Australia. The operators have been sent an email with a link to your website. I personally offer my support for your cause and with Shell seeming to be offering up for sale oil refineries from all parts of the globe, we here in Australia understand that our turn could be next. I will have on the agenda at our next site meeting your plight and strongly encourage you to maintain your insistence of pension entitlements and terms and conditions
Mark Rigby (Riggers) Geelong Refinery, Australia Dec 1st 2009	Keep your chin up fellas!!
Stanlow Employee Oct 31st 2009	As a non-unionised member of staff at Stanlow I would like to pass on my thanks to the unsung hero who leaked this sale in August. What ever your motives, your heads up has given us all a chance to prepare ourselves for the road ahead and allowed us to be on the front foot and not in a state of shock at the town hall meeting on the 29th October . Can UNITE please let people know what you can do for people (and what they can do as union members) even if they are not part of a collective group (like me). It's £10 per month – I understand but many people do not. So again thanks to the leaker and the Times for reporting it and thanks to the operators union for your attitude towards those of us on individual contracts. Take out the huge Shell overheads fee and Stanlow is turning a good profit in lean times - Essar will not have the imperial like bureaucracy of Shell to fund and will be able to make a tidy profit with today's fixed costs - that includes our pensions, pensions which provide security for people who work in a high risk industry and give loyalty back to the employer. To whom ever is our future employer - look after us and we will look after you, we are not a militant bunch just normal men and women who want security for their families. We're a good and loyal group, its just that our current owners have not returned the 80 years of loyalty from the people of Cheshire and the family that makes Stanlow.
Mark Richardson Shop Steward Esso Fawley Refinery 25th October 2009	I'm a shop steward from Esso's refinery at Fawley, Hampshire. I was present at the recent NORCC meeting when Alan and Ron informed the other refinery delegates from around the U.K. on the very latest developments at your site. It is obvious that the members at Stanlow are very well organised and prepared for the inevitable battles that lie ahead. The support of our trade union colleagues from Grangemouth is greatly appreciated by everyone and underlines the importance of the NORCC as a communication tool at difficult times such as these. Good luck for the future.
Dave Thomas Shell Thornton Site 19th October 2009	We work as Maintenance Technicians at Shell Thornton site, but are employed by Eurest. Since Unite won recognition, (using the CAC procedure), we have seen a dramatic improvement in the way Craft workers are treated. Union recognition has resulted in a much fairer workplace, and we have worked very hard to ensure that terms and conditions were harmonised at the highest level. It has not been easy, but by sticking together we have shown what can be achieved. Good luck with your claim for recognition. Your campaign to ensure that you maintain a safe working environment, and that your terms and conditions are safeguarded has our full support.
Stanlow Employee 12th October 2009	Thirty years wasted working for a company that has gone to the dogs. Lack of investment has seen an ever-shrinking site as once proud plant is turned into rusting scrap. We have had job losses at the blunt end (60/40) while the suits continued to built their empires and now management has grown to the point were the tree is seriously top heavy, no wonder the business is collapsing. Once we had an understanding and sympathetic management who would go out of the way to accommodate. Now we are bombarded with rules and paperwork designed to catch us out with the threat of instant termination of contracts. How nice! Possibly the sale will not be detrimental to the long-term viability of Stanlow but it sure as heck will be to our pensions. I hope that we the workforce is not going to wimp out and lie down on this. Let us see some real balls; we need to put some real HELL in to Shell with some decisive action. Time to get creative; we need to hurt the right people and get the public on our side.
Disgruntled Stanlow Employee 12th October 2009	Having left a relatively secure position for Stanlow Shell, I'm rather miffed to say the least. Surely the 'management' of the day knew what was cooking. I find myself out of the frying pan and into the fire, I'm actively seeking a return to my past employer, but expect I've burnt my bridges well and truly. The icing on the cake...or should it be a bullet to my head, transfering my pension into Shell, if I didn't laugh I'd cry. Here's hoping an amicably and fruitful outcome will prevail.
Phil McNulty National Officer Unite the Union 11th October 2009	Just read your website, every assistance and support for your campaign Phil.
Tony Parkman Shop Steward Stanlow Gate 2. 10th October 2009	I am a shop steward for the tanker drivers at Stanlow Gate 2 and we went through this horror some 6 years back. Be strong, be united, and stand together and fight for all you are worth. You have the backing and full support of all the tanker drivers at gate 2. We also are watching with a keen eye on events as they unfold. What ever action you decide to take we will support you all the way. UNITE and give them a fight.
Jo Freemantle Branch Secretary SE/328 Fawley Refinery 7th Oct 2009	On behalf of all the union reps and members here at Fawley Refinery, we wish you success in your fight to maintain your current terms and conditions in the light of any sale. The fantastic achievements at Grangemouth and others within NORCC have led the way in showing that, with strength and solidarity, you do not have to accept losses in your benefits that you have fought so hard to win and maintain. To all our colleagues at Stanlow we wish you good luck and offer our assistance if required.
Dave, ex Stanlow employee London 25th September 2009	I worked at Shell Stanlow several years ago and I was amazed to read that Shell has got the site up for sale . Could not believe that Shell wants to sell off it's "Best In Class" and world leader complex, believe me guys when I tell you that the standards set at Stanlow are thrust into other sites. The world class operators and technicians are second to no body as I have found out by working at several different non Shell locations. If I can offer any advice it is to say that there is a big world out there and should you wish to take the plunge and leave Stanlow then you will be snapped up and reap the rewards as I have found out. I'll keep my ear to the ground for you all and if I hear anymore will let you know either on this forum or through my old friends at Stanlow... you know who you are. Good luck.
Sam Wood National Vice President of the Australian Workers Union 23rd Sept 2009	Sorry to here about your trouble. Shell is the type of company that when they make up there mind it is hard to change. But with all Oil Companies the one factor you have on your side is Shell above all is only interested in the bottom line. As for any new bidder I wish you well we have in this country what we call Transmission of Business meaning the new employer is bound by law to keep the conditions as they were with the past employer in this case Shell. Well I hope all goes well and if we can help on this side of the world let me know.
Graham Daley Unite Regional Official 21st September 2009	The North West Region of Unite the Union are determined to provide all the help and support our members at Shell Stanlow need to protect their interests. Stanlow Refinery is critical to fuel supply in the UK, and good industrial relations at this site should be a priority for Shell. To be kept in the dark whilst sale negotiations take place is unacceptable. Unite has requested meetings with all the preferred bidders, to seek assurances about the future, including guarantees on pensions and terms and conditions of employment. Shell do not appear to favour improved union organisation at Stanlow. This is not a problem, as the law provides, that if 50% plus 1 of any group of workers joins a union, and expresses the wish to have collective bargaining, then the union will have to be recognised. If other groups also wish to have a voice at work, the company will have to accept their decision. The right to union recognition is no longer solely in the hands of the employer. The only effective counterbalance to employer power is a strong trade union presence at the workplace, working together we can improve our organisation to ensure that all employees at Shell Stanlow are treated fairly. Your fraternally.
Mark Lyon Convenor Ineos, Grangemouth. Unite Executive Council member 14th September 2009	It is excellent to see refinery workers standing up and insisting on continued terms, conditions and pensions in the face of company reorganisation and the proposed sale at Shell. Does it not make a nonsense of all the words over the years about loyalty and protection from the company? It is clear that multinationals will sell assets at the drop of a hat when there is money to be made and the only protection working people have is solidarity, principle and strength in numbers. Our own refinery, like so many others, was sold some time ago. This is not the end of the world. Organisation and determination will surely secure your current conditions. Please accept our message of unconditional support from all our members at Ineos Grangemouth and from myself as Unite Executive Council member for the industry. Fraternally Mark Lyon
Rod Ratter BP Sullom Voe 14th September 2009	Wishing the Stanlow workers the very best of luck in at least maintaining your terms and conditions, a change of boilersuit is not necessarily a precursor to lower terms, but it is a bloody good time to show solidarity and determination, as you can bet your favourite body parts that there will be an attempt to nibble at what you have achieved over the years. All the best from the Frozen North, R Ratter BP Sullom Voe
Phil Baldry, Chevron, Pembroke 15th September 2009	I would like to add my support to your cause. I would like to "echo" the previous "posters", that by remaining "united" it is very possible and probable that you will retain all of your "terms and conditions". Good Luck!!
Senior Inspector Shell Chemicals and Refinery, Pernis 15th September 2009	Dear colleagues, I've visited your site quite a few times, even worked there as an expat during turnarounds, so I know quite a few of you personally. I hope this plan turns out to be a "dud". I wish you and your families all the best and strength to go through this period of uncertainty. At Pernis we've seen it happen at close range when parts of our chemical site were sold. It's always sad to lose colleagues from what used to be the global Shell family. Nowadays quite a few times I'm ashamed to be part of that.....
Bob, Manchester 15th September 2009	Shell's behaviour is typical of most companies that hold profit above all else. They do not consider the consequences for employees and the greater economy and in most cases treat the employees just as mere items of stock to be bought and sold as required.
Mark Mcgrath, CFMEU, Clyde Refinery, Australia 15th September 2009	On behalf of all of the operators at the Clyde refinery we wish all the very best in your struggles with Shell. We remember the support given to us recently in our own struggles and attempted lockout with Shell and if there is anything more we can do to support you just let us know. Workers united will never be defeated.
Former Stanlow employee, London 17th September 2009	Having worked with you at Stanlow from 2000-2003 , I would like to say what a pleasure and honour it was. I can only say that Shells decision to ditch the workforce and refinery for a quick buck disgusts me. I found you all to be professional ,loyal & proud !!. I can only hope that Shell realises the error of its ways , takes a long hard look at previously disastrous errors, amongst others Shell Haven, and takes Stanlow off the market. If however this is not the case , stand and fight for everything you have worked so hard to achieve especially your pension and current conditions. I wish you all the best of luck and my support in your trials and tribulations. Unite for your rights !!
Veolia, Ellesmere Port Branch NW/466 17th September 2009	From all of the TU Reps and operators at the Incineration plant at Ellesmere Port we wish you all the very best in your struggles with Shell. If you stand united then the day will be yours. Again brothers Good good Luck.
Bill Forrester Sullom Voe Power Station Shetlands 19th September 2009	message: I wish to register the full support of the workforce here at Sullom Voe Power Station during this period of uncertainty. We are only two dozen strong but through unity we managed to retain the terms & conditions we enjoyed with BP following our TUPE in 2004.