30/01/2009
Hundreds Walk Out As Refinery Dispute Escalates
Hundreds of energy workers in North Lincolnshire have gone on strike in protest over the use of foreign labour on a construction strike.
The demonstrators gathered at Lindsey Oil Refinery following a decision to bring hundreds of Italian and Portuguese contractors to work on the new £200 million plant at North Killingholme.
It is understood 100 Italian and Portuguese workers are on site and are expected to be joined by 300 more next month.
Unions have argued British staff should be doing the work.
Total, owners of the refinery, however, have said there would be "no direct redundancies" as a result.
The protest, which began on Wednesday, was disrupted at 6.15am, when a car collided with an oil tanker at the entrance to the refinery.
Firefighters took about 30 minutes to free the driver of the car, who was then taken to hospital.
While demonstrators gathered on site for the third day of the strike, the unofficial action took place in other parts of the UK including Scotland and Wales.
More than 700 workers took action at the giant Grangemouth oil refinery in Scotland, while in Barry, Wales police were called to the Aberthaw power station after workers staged a protest.
Employees at BP’s Dimlington gas terminal in East Yorkshire and its chemical manufacturing plant in Saltend, Hull also walked out in support.
In a statement, Total said there would be no direct redundancies as a result of the contract.
"On this one specific occasion, IREM was selected, through a fair and competitive tender process, as the most appropriate company to complete this work.
"We will continue to put contracts out to tender in the future and we are confident we will award further contracts to UK companies.
"We are disappointed they have taken this action and we hope contractors' return to work so the situation can be resolved as soon as possible through discussion with their union representatives."
(JM/BMcC)
The demonstrators gathered at Lindsey Oil Refinery following a decision to bring hundreds of Italian and Portuguese contractors to work on the new £200 million plant at North Killingholme.
It is understood 100 Italian and Portuguese workers are on site and are expected to be joined by 300 more next month.
Unions have argued British staff should be doing the work.
Total, owners of the refinery, however, have said there would be "no direct redundancies" as a result.
The protest, which began on Wednesday, was disrupted at 6.15am, when a car collided with an oil tanker at the entrance to the refinery.
Firefighters took about 30 minutes to free the driver of the car, who was then taken to hospital.
While demonstrators gathered on site for the third day of the strike, the unofficial action took place in other parts of the UK including Scotland and Wales.
More than 700 workers took action at the giant Grangemouth oil refinery in Scotland, while in Barry, Wales police were called to the Aberthaw power station after workers staged a protest.
Employees at BP’s Dimlington gas terminal in East Yorkshire and its chemical manufacturing plant in Saltend, Hull also walked out in support.
In a statement, Total said there would be no direct redundancies as a result of the contract.
"On this one specific occasion, IREM was selected, through a fair and competitive tender process, as the most appropriate company to complete this work.
"We will continue to put contracts out to tender in the future and we are confident we will award further contracts to UK companies.
"We are disappointed they have taken this action and we hope contractors' return to work so the situation can be resolved as soon as possible through discussion with their union representatives."
(JM/BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 February 2013
Fuel Shortage Fears As BP Tanker Strike Begins
A potential BP fuel shortage is feared as 40 of the company’s tanker drivers begin a three-day strike over a pension and pay dispute. The drivers, based at the Grangemouth oil refinery west of Edinburgh, are in dispute after BP transferred 15 drivers who specialise in supplying aviation fuel to airports to work for the delivery firm DHL.
Fuel Shortage Fears As BP Tanker Strike Begins
A potential BP fuel shortage is feared as 40 of the company’s tanker drivers begin a three-day strike over a pension and pay dispute. The drivers, based at the Grangemouth oil refinery west of Edinburgh, are in dispute after BP transferred 15 drivers who specialise in supplying aviation fuel to airports to work for the delivery firm DHL.
26 June 2009
Lindsey Oil Refinery Agreement Reached
A deal to end the bitter oil refinery dispute which saw hundreds of workers walk out across the country, has been agreed, according to unions. Following long talks with union leaders and employers of contract staff at the Lindsey oil refinery, an agreement was reached - understood to involve the reinstatement of the 647 construction workers.
Lindsey Oil Refinery Agreement Reached
A deal to end the bitter oil refinery dispute which saw hundreds of workers walk out across the country, has been agreed, according to unions. Following long talks with union leaders and employers of contract staff at the Lindsey oil refinery, an agreement was reached - understood to involve the reinstatement of the 647 construction workers.
04 February 2009
Deal Reached In 'Foreign Labour' Row
Union leaders are calling for an end to wildcat strikes, after a deal was reached over the ongoing dispute over the use of foreign workers. British workers have been offered 50% of the disputed jobs at the Lindsey Oil Refinery in Lincolnshire.
Deal Reached In 'Foreign Labour' Row
Union leaders are calling for an end to wildcat strikes, after a deal was reached over the ongoing dispute over the use of foreign workers. British workers have been offered 50% of the disputed jobs at the Lindsey Oil Refinery in Lincolnshire.
22 June 2009
Oil Workers Burn Dismissal Letters As Strikes Continue
Hundreds of sacked oil workers have continued their protest outside the Lindsey Oil Refinery, by burning their dismissal notices in an act of defiance against French oil giants Total. Six hundred and fifty workers were sacked by Total, which runs the facility in North Lincolnshire. They were given until 5.00pm today to reapply for their jobs.
Oil Workers Burn Dismissal Letters As Strikes Continue
Hundreds of sacked oil workers have continued their protest outside the Lindsey Oil Refinery, by burning their dismissal notices in an act of defiance against French oil giants Total. Six hundred and fifty workers were sacked by Total, which runs the facility in North Lincolnshire. They were given until 5.00pm today to reapply for their jobs.
24 March 2005
Inquiry into BP oil refinery explosion
A massive explosion that tore through a BP oil refinery in Texas yesterday is believed to have killed 14 people and injured more than 100. Shooting flames and billowing smoke showered the area as firefighters struggled to put out the flames. Workers searched through the rubble for survivors last night for several hours after the blast.
Inquiry into BP oil refinery explosion
A massive explosion that tore through a BP oil refinery in Texas yesterday is believed to have killed 14 people and injured more than 100. Shooting flames and billowing smoke showered the area as firefighters struggled to put out the flames. Workers searched through the rubble for survivors last night for several hours after the blast.