About 100 Sunoco Workers Get Layoff Notices

Job losses continue to mount as refinery moves towards closure

Officials at a Sunoco refinery near Philadelphia say about 100 employees are being laid off at the end of the week.

The workers at the company's Marcus Hook plant in Delaware County were given layoff notices saying Friday would be their last day, reports the Delaware County Daily Times.

Sunoco spokesman Thomas Golembeski said Tuesday that the hourly employees were told not to return because the first phase of the plant decommissioning process has been completed. But he says the workers will be paid their wages through the end of the month.

Sunoco said last year that it would idle the refinery and lay off about 490 employees because of deteriorating market conditions. Another Sunoco refinery in Philadelphia is expected to close by July if a buyer isn't found.

Pennsylvania politicians urged Sunoco CEO Brian MacDonald to find a buyer for the facilities.

"With so many jobs on the line and the risk of higher fuel prices for consumers across the northeast, Sunoco and ConocoPhillips must be held accountable for the impact refinery closures would have on the region," said Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) in a letter sent Wednesday. "We need these companies to be more transparent with workers and the public as they contemplate decisions that could have very damaging impacts not only on the local communities but on the entire northeast."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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