CONSTRUCTION workers employed at a Cheshire oil refinery have won a major increase in bonus payments following the prospect of industrial action, their union Unite has announced.

The deal at the Stanlow site covers 450 staff working for different contractors under a national agreement for the engineering construction industry. 

Strikes had been due to begin last month but were called off at the last minute after bosses agreed to fresh talks, which eventually led to a new offer of a near 300 per cent boost to hourly bonus payments from 80p to a whopping £2.37.