If 160 workers at the Marsden Point oil refinery carry out a threatened two-day strike, the plant could be in shutdown mode for 11 days.
The First Union Inc, supported by the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union, has served New Zealand Refining Company with a notice of the proposed action on October 7 and 8 after a breakdown in collective employment bargaining that started in May.
That breakdown could cost the company $8-$9 million in lost processing fees because strike action would force a complete shutdown and restart of all processing units. Safety would be the key focus should the strike go ahead.
"The estimated time for a safe shutdown, two days of strike, followed by a restart of the plant totals a maximum of 11 days," Refining NZ communications and external affairs manager Greg McNeill said.
"We intend to continue to bargain in good faith to reach a settlement with the unions," he said.