BY BEN COURTICE

MELBOURNE — Plant operators at the Qenos refinery in Altona, owned by oil giant ExxonMobil, have been locked out of work in a dispute over staffing levels.

Management at the plant, formerly called Kemcor, wanted to put a clause in the workers' enterprise agreement allowing it to reduce the work force as it saw fit, starting with an initial reduction of 10%.

The workers, members of the National Union of Workers, say they are already working with minimum numbers required for safe operation. Any accident in the large chemical plant would affect residential areas nearby, they argue. The workers also remember workmates who have died in previous accidents at the site.

The workers initially offered to leave a volunteer skeleton crew inside the plant to watch it for safety reasons, but Qenos management has refused the offer.

Supporters are welcome to visit the picket line, in Maidstone Road, just off Kororoit Creek Road, Altona.

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