Protests at Vopak to save Coryton

Protesters assembling on Saturday morning (Pic: Alan Kenny)

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Up to 80 workers at the Coryton oil refinery and their supporters protested outside the Vopak terminal in Purfleet, Essex, today (Saturday).

The protest was against plans to close the refinery, which will lead to some 800 job losses in the area.

The workers were joined by several Essex firefighters, who struck and marched through Chelmsford on Wednesday against job cuts.

The Unite union is calling for a public enquiry into why a buyer was not found to save the plant, despite promises of a takeover earlier in the year.

There will be another protest at Vopak tomorrow (Sunday). Coryton workers are discussing further protests to pressure the government into stepping in and saving the refinery.

» Coryton workers target Purfleet