Sweeney, Burzichelli and Taliaferro Join Workers and Union Officials to Discuss Refinery Closure

Thorofare – Senate President Steve Sweeney, Assembly Deputy Speaker John Burzichelli and Assemblyman Adam Taliaferro stood with union workers, labor officials, local business leaders and other members of the community at a town hall style gathering to discuss the potential closure of the Axeon Specialty Products, LLC asphalt refinery in Paulsboro.

According to published reports, the refinery, which is one of the most productive in the nation, could close as early this summer putting the jobs of roughly 100 employees at risk.

“I am proud to stand with the Axeon plant workers who want nothing more than the opportunity to come to work every day and earn a fair paycheck to put food on their tables for their families,” said Senator Sweeney.  “I encourage Axeon to work with state government and the workers’ representatives to find a solution that allows as many of these hard-working employees to keep their jobs as possible.”

According to the company, the Paulsboro site is capable of producing more than 40,000 barrels of asphalt per day, has a storage facility and is equipped for distributing products via truck, rail or ship.

“We want to thank Senator Sweeney, Deputy Speaker Burzichelli and Assemblyman Taliaferro for joining us today and for lending their support to the plant’s workers,” said Ken Gomeringer of the United Steelworkers International.  “We will continue to work with the legislators and the company to find a way to keep the plant open with full employment.”

“At a time when the federal government is suggesting a commitment to major infrastructure investment, it would be a crushing blow to those efforts if our region were to lose its largest manufacturer of asphalt,” added Assemblyman Burzichelli.  “I truly hope the company reconsiders its plans and works with all interested parties to keep this site operational.”

“There are more than just the plant’s workers with something at stake here,” said Assemblyman Taliaferro.  “The local restaurants and other businesses who benefit from having the plant in operation would be lose a major source of revenue should production come to a halt.  We are standing with them too when we call upon a mutually beneficial resolution to this impasse.”