1000 Construction Workers In Wildcat Strike

At least 1,000 UK construction workers have downed tools in a "wildcat strike" at up to 12 power and energy sites as part of unofficial protest against the continued use of foreign labour as domestic unemployment rises.

Uunion officials have confirmed that they cannot give official backing to the action but forecast that the protest could hit a large section of the industry nationwide.

Demonstrations at Staythorpe power station, where two Spanish subcontractors are engaged, have been supported by a similar protest at Total’s Lindsey Oil Refinery (LOR) at Immingham, near Grimsby.Here 600 refinery workers initially staged a walk out to protest against an Italian contractor, IREM, bringing in its own 225-strong workforce to help build a desulpherisation plant. They were later joined by hundreds of workers from other parts of the country.

Tom Hardacre, Unite national secretary, said: "The union supports the UK workers’ cause. But the action at LOR is unofficial. As it did not involve workers engaged on the site concerned, it could be regarded as illegal secondary picketing. So we have had to repudiate it."

He added: "We have taken this issue up at the highest level. We are aware of the EU laws on the free movement of labour. At the same time, we have explained the ramifications of importing labour when skilled workers in this country are losing their jobs. But nothing is being done..."Billions of pounds are being pumped into the UK economy. You have to ask -what for and for whose benefit?"

Total said in a statement: "We recognise the concerns of contractors but it is important to note that there will be no direct redundancies as a result of this contract being awarded...We have been a major local employer for 40 years and have always enjoyed a good relationship with our staff and contractors."