Antwerp: ExxonMobil refinery strike from 29 June 2026

The planned strike at ExxonMobil's Antwerp refinery has been suspended for now. After talks stalled over the company's plan to cut 35 of around 735 jobs, staff had voted for a strike notice, with action expected in late June 2026. On the evening of 25 June 2026, management put forward a new proposal, and the unions responded by suspending the strike notice so the offer can be put to a vote.

Workers will now ballot on the proposal. If it is rejected by at least two-thirds of both day staff and shift staff, a strike could begin from 8 July 2026 at 06:00, which would shut down the refinery. Until that vote, no strike is going ahead and normal operations continue.

The unions are pressing for new collective labour agreements rather than a one-off bonus; the Antwerp refinery reported €709 million in profit last year.