OIL refinery workers could face redundancy as union wage demands threatens a site’s future, The Northern Echo can reveal.

Hertel UK says more than 50 positions are at risk at the ConocoPhillips’ site, at Seal Sands, near Middlesbrough.

The warning comes as unions refuse to rule out strike action over pay, a stance Hertel says has put jobs at risk by jeopardising planned maintenance.

Unions Unite and GMB want increased wages for scores of their Hertel members who provide repair and maintenance at ConocoPhillips’ site.

However, Hertel has long said the pay demands are unrealistic, citing the oil and gas sector’s woes for its decision.

Earlier this week, Unite revealed it plans to ballot Hertel members over pay, saying it wants an improved wage structure over three years, linked to National Joint Council for the Engineering Construction Industry rates, which would see salaries rise by three per cent.

In its demands, the organisation added it wants to meet Hertel bosses to thrash out a deal.

But David Massey, Hertel UK’s HR director, told The Northern Echo the demands are not realistic, adding the company was confused by the unions’ tactics, saying talks are already planned.

He said: “The sustained fall in oil prices has resulted in large losses for companies in this sector, major cutbacks in investment and widespread job losses worldwide.

“The UK is not immune and due to these difficulties the vast majority of employees at Seal Sands have accepted a pay freeze in an attempt to protect jobs and investment.

“It is disappointing a group of employees, represented by Unite and GMB, appear unable or unwilling to recognise these difficulties.

“They continue to push for guaranteed pay increases, and, despite being warned of the risks to future planned work, the unions have continued their campaign to threaten industrial action unless their demands are met.

“Given the uncertainty this has created around scheduled shutdown work for June, sadly, this does result in potential redundancies.

“A formal 30-day consultation period has started with affected employees.

“Although every effort will be made to try to minimise the impact, at the present time over 50 positions are at risk.

“We don’t believe strike action is justified when the focus should be on job security and investment to ensure the long-term viability of the plant.”

However, Steve Cason, Unite regional officer, said staff are serious in their threats after becoming frustrated at a perceived stubbornness from Hertel management.

Mr Cason also said the union feels Hertel is using the threat of redundancy as a tactic to make workers accept a pay freeze.

He added: “Our members are fed up; they work hard, in all weathers, to keep this site running safely and receive no thanks.

“Their patience is running out and if Hertel’s wants to avert serious disruption, it should return to the negotiating table.”

Founded in a caravan in June 1975 by John Burt, a well-known figure in the region’s process industry, Hertel UK was launched as a subsidiary of the Dutch-based Hertel Group.

It now runs its head office from Middlesbrough’s Middlehaven site and employs thousands of staff across the UK and Ireland.