At the meeting of the union and the management of INA, the list of workers to be declared redundant was denied

The management of INA and the representative unions in the company discussed on Thursday the announcement of the cessation of operations of the FCC and HDS unit for processing FCC gasoline at the Sisak refinery, about which INA reported on Friday in a brief statement, stating that the goal of this decision is to optimize refinery operations and reduce losses, while the Oil Industry Union emphasizes that the unions continue to oppose the decision, seeking additional solutions from the management to preserve jobs.

The management meeting led by INA’s CEO Zoltan Aldott with union representatives was held at the request of three representative unions operating in INA – INAŠ-Oil Industry Union, Independent Union of EKN, and the Oil Industry Union.

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They discussed organizational changes in the Sisak Oil Refinery that INA announced in January, which involve the cessation of operations of the FCC and HDS unit for processing FCC gasoline from July 1, meaning a reduction in the number of workers by a maximum of 40 in the second half of the year.

“In the spirit of dialogue and open communication with social partners, the company representatives responded to the questions raised and provided union representatives with more detailed explanations of the mentioned business decision, which INA made with the aim of optimizing refinery operations and reducing losses generated by the Sisak Oil Refinery,” INA states in its announcement.

The Oil Industry Union sees the meeting as “just the first step in preserving jobs in Sisak.”

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On its website, the union states that the management of INA “further explained its decision, noting that the decision to shut down the FCC at this moment does not mean the closure of the Sisak refinery, but rather better utilization of the refinery capacities that INA has, which must be in line with market demands.”

Unions still oppose the closure decision

According to the management’s decision, which was announced in mid-January, primary facilities would continue to operate in block mode, while secondary units (reforming, isomerization, coking, and hydroprocessing) would operate continuously throughout the year.

“The management emphasized its readiness to talk with the unions to find the best possible solutions for the workers of the Sisak refinery. Despite this, union representatives continue to oppose the proposed decision and have requested the management to develop additional solutions to preserve jobs,” states the Oil Industry Union.

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Additionally, the unions demand that management inform workers about the intended decision and further steps, so that workers do not learn about their fate from the media.

Management representatives, the union states, presented their plan for further activities, which includes “discussions with workers at the facilities in RNS and procedures that would prepare workers for taking on other jobs within INA.”

“The management denied workers’ claims that there are lists of workers who will be declared redundant and emphasized that the selection process for filling job positions, which is ongoing, is completely transparent,” states the union.

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The unions have requested, since the management has decided that secondary facilities will operate continuously throughout the year, that workers whom the employer intends to declare redundant be assigned to available job positions.

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“The unions have informed the management that they have requested a meeting with the Prime Minister regarding the development strategy of INA, the acquisition of INA shares, and how, in the event of a potential acquisition, INA will be managed. If the government does not heed questions about the development of INA, the unions will apply other methods of union action,” states the Oil Industry Union.