Construction wildcat strikes end

Wildcat strikes at two Welsh energy sites ended last night when union leaders claimed they were assured local workers will be given a fair chance to land jobs.Around 200 contract workers at the South Hook liquefied natural gas terminal in Milford Haven walked out for the second day in succession in a row over the use of foreign labour.

Their walkout prompted similar action by 250 workers at the Aberthaw Power Station in the Vale of Glamorgan.And around 2,500 workers walked out of two refineries at North Killingholme in Lincolnshire in support.

That walkout mirrors the dispute earlier this year which started at the Lindsey oil refinery near Immingham, Lincolnshire, after a £200million construction contract was given to an Italian firm.

Talks with the contractor were held last night when it emerged that Hertel was to withdraw 40 non-UK workers and take on appropriate UK staff. Managing director David Fitzsimons said last night: “Following discussions today we have agreed to withdraw immediately all 40 non-UK workers and will be looking to directly employ suitably skilled UK workers...We trust this will bring the unofficial strike action to an end and hope staff will agree to return to work today...Though we were unable to find qualified local employees to fill the roles when first recruiting for the project, we have now been told that a number of applicants are available."

GMB Union organiser Alun Reppell, who has been called in to take part in the talks, said: “Quite clearly this is a very emotive issue. We have seen this sort of thing happening outside of Wales but now people are finding the problem’s on their own doorstep and it’s come as a bit of a shock...An agreement was in place that said local labour would be the first port of call but that’s been broken. The labour force is there in West Wales but it has just not been used.”