22/06/2009
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.
Total said it was "encouraged" by the amount of feedback it had from the workers involved.
However, the demonstrators outside the oil plant set light to dozens of letters in a car park opposite the refinery, in a symbolic gesture.
During a rally today, Phil Whitehurst of the GMB union urged people to continue their protests against the redundancies.
He said: "Let them show us how many want to go back in there crawling on their bellies for their jobs.
"We go out together, we go back together."
The GMB is planning to stage a demonstration outside the Lindsey refinery on Tuesday.
The employers took the action in response to more than a week of wildcat strikes over a dispute about jobs at the site.
About 1,200 contract workers took unofficial strike action in a dispute over 51 redundancies at its Lindsey oil refinery in Lincolnshire.
They claim they were not told of 61 new jobs being filled at the same time.
A spokesman for Total said it was hopeful that work on the HDS-3 construction project - which came to a halt due to the wildcat strikes - would restart within a few weeks.
"Total wishes to stress that at no stage has it asked its contract companies to reduce their workforce's pay and conditions in any way and will not seek to do so," the spokesman added.
"Total calls for all parties to respect employment law and to work together within the nationally negotiated agreements to which they are signatories."
(JM/BMcc)
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.
Total said it was "encouraged" by the amount of feedback it had from the workers involved.
However, the demonstrators outside the oil plant set light to dozens of letters in a car park opposite the refinery, in a symbolic gesture.
During a rally today, Phil Whitehurst of the GMB union urged people to continue their protests against the redundancies.
He said: "Let them show us how many want to go back in there crawling on their bellies for their jobs.
"We go out together, we go back together."
The GMB is planning to stage a demonstration outside the Lindsey refinery on Tuesday.
The employers took the action in response to more than a week of wildcat strikes over a dispute about jobs at the site.
About 1,200 contract workers took unofficial strike action in a dispute over 51 redundancies at its Lindsey oil refinery in Lincolnshire.
They claim they were not told of 61 new jobs being filled at the same time.
A spokesman for Total said it was hopeful that work on the HDS-3 construction project - which came to a halt due to the wildcat strikes - would restart within a few weeks.
"Total wishes to stress that at no stage has it asked its contract companies to reduce their workforce's pay and conditions in any way and will not seek to do so," the spokesman added.
"Total calls for all parties to respect employment law and to work together within the nationally negotiated agreements to which they are signatories."
(JM/BMcc)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
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.
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.
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.
30 January 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.
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.
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.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.