Unite says Ben Houchen ignored requests to meet over Sabic

A union claims a mayor has refused multiple invitations to discuss supporting workers at a plant marked for closure.

The Saudi Arabian firm Sabic, one of the world’s largest petrochemical manufacturers, decided to shut its Olefins 6 cracker plant in Wilton, Teesside, in June, after 46 years of operating.

A spokesperson for Unite said Sabic had been in touch with Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen’s office on three occasions “desperately trying to organise a meeting”, but never received a reply.

Houchen strongly denies the claims, saying his team had “been actively exploring ways to assist affected employees”.

In a recent interview with BBC Radio Tees, he said he had been in contact with Sabic and was working directly with it to support employees.

Fazia Hussain-Brown, Unite’s regional spokesperson, said the mayor had promised support when the closure was announced but workers were yet to see it.

“The employer has been in touch with Ben Houchen’s office on three occasions to see what support his mayoral department can give, especially around out-placement support, and they have heard absolutely nothing,” she said.

“The company in desperation asked the union to reach out to Ben Houchen.”

She said both Sabic and Unite had been trying to contact the mayor’s office and his statement made in the BBC Radio Tees hotseat that he had been in contact was a “blatant lie”.

Houchen denied Unite’s claims and said he was exploring the possibility of flying out to Saudi Arabia to meet with Sabic management in an attempt to save the plant.

“Despite these claims, I have indeed been in contact with Sabic and my team has been actively exploring ways to assist affected employees and support the wider community,” he said, calling the situation “terrible”.

Sabic has been contacted for comment.