WORKERS at one of Europe’s biggest oil refineries are taking unofficial strike action, saying bosses have failed to stump up a promised bonus payment.

The Stanlow oil refinery workers at Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, are employed by contractors hired by the refinery’s Indian-based owners, EET Fuels. They include mechanics, scaffolders, pipe-fitters and electricians.

One striker said the contractor employers were refusing to pay a bonus linked to a shutdown for maintenance work and about 600 workers were on site.