Menu
02/02/2009
Sellafield Workers Join Wildcat Strikes
Hundreds of contract workers at a nuclear site have walked out in support of protests over the use of foreign labour.
The wildcat strikes, which broke out last week over an oil refinerys use of foreign staff, today continued to spread as around 900 workers at Sellafield and 300 contractors at Heysham walked out.
Other strikes are expected to spread across the country, in planned "sympathy strikes".
Last week 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, the company which owns the Lindsey Oil site, has insisted it is not discriminating against British workers.
Total said in a statement: "We operate, and will continue to operate, under UK domestic law and the common European rules which apply to UK companies operating elsewhere in Europe and European companies operating in the UK."
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been accused of further "inflaming" the already escalating row, by condemning the unofficial strikes as "indefensible".
Striker and GMB convener Willie Doggert, said: "All we want is a level playing field, it's not just about foreign workers, we need jobs to be advertised with transparency so that everybody gets a far crack of the whip at getting them.
"The jobs down the country were given to foreign workers without giving Great British workers the chance to bid for them. This has nothing to do with stopping people coming here; it's just about greater transparency."
The wildcat strikes began after the Italian company IREM won a £200 million construction contract and supplied its own permanent workforce.
Last Friday, up to 3,000 workers from at least 11 oil refineries and power plants in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland mounted protests and unofficial strikes over the contract.
See: Hundreds Walk Out As Refinery Dispute Escalates
(JM/BMcC)
The wildcat strikes, which broke out last week over an oil refinerys use of foreign staff, today continued to spread as around 900 workers at Sellafield and 300 contractors at Heysham walked out.
Other strikes are expected to spread across the country, in planned "sympathy strikes".
Last week 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, the company which owns the Lindsey Oil site, has insisted it is not discriminating against British workers.
Total said in a statement: "We operate, and will continue to operate, under UK domestic law and the common European rules which apply to UK companies operating elsewhere in Europe and European companies operating in the UK."
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been accused of further "inflaming" the already escalating row, by condemning the unofficial strikes as "indefensible".
Striker and GMB convener Willie Doggert, said: "All we want is a level playing field, it's not just about foreign workers, we need jobs to be advertised with transparency so that everybody gets a far crack of the whip at getting them.
"The jobs down the country were given to foreign workers without giving Great British workers the chance to bid for them. This has nothing to do with stopping people coming here; it's just about greater transparency."
The wildcat strikes began after the Italian company IREM won a £200 million construction contract and supplied its own permanent workforce.
Last Friday, up to 3,000 workers from at least 11 oil refineries and power plants in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland mounted protests and unofficial strikes over the contract.
See: Hundreds Walk Out As Refinery Dispute Escalates
(JM/BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
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.
05 June 2006
Kidnapped oil workers released
Eight foreign oil workers, including six Britons, who were kidnapped in Nigeria on Friday have been released. The six Britons, along with an American and a Canadian, were taken hostage from the Bulford Dolphin oil rig in the early hours of Friday morning.
Kidnapped oil workers released
Eight foreign oil workers, including six Britons, who were kidnapped in Nigeria on Friday have been released. The six Britons, along with an American and a Canadian, were taken hostage from the Bulford Dolphin oil rig in the early hours of Friday morning.
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.
07 March 2006
Points-based immigration criteria scheme launched
A new points-based immigration system, similar to that used by Australia, has been launched by the Home Secretary. The points based system is a central part of the Government's five year strategy for asylum and immigration, which was published in February 2005, and aims to ensure that only those who benefit Britain can come here to work or study.
Points-based immigration criteria scheme launched
A new points-based immigration system, similar to that used by Australia, has been launched by the Home Secretary. The points based system is a central part of the Government's five year strategy for asylum and immigration, which was published in February 2005, and aims to ensure that only those who benefit Britain can come here to work or study.
28 October 2004
Three foreign workers kidnapped in Kabul
A woman holding dual British-Irish nationality is among three foreign workers kidnapped in Afghanistan today. The trio – including a Kosovar woman and Filipino man – were assisting with the presidential elections when they were kidnapped at gunpoint in the capital Kabul this afternoon.
Three foreign workers kidnapped in Kabul
A woman holding dual British-Irish nationality is among three foreign workers kidnapped in Afghanistan today. The trio – including a Kosovar woman and Filipino man – were assisting with the presidential elections when they were kidnapped at gunpoint in the capital Kabul this afternoon.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
