Talks delayed over refinary strikes

Talks to end the dispute over the dismissal of 647 construction workers at the Lindsey oil refinery have been delayed.Union leaders have demanded the reinstatement of sacked employees at the north Lincolnshire site as well as assurances that those who participated in the sympathy strikes would not be victimised.

The dispute has impacted on construction sites across the UK, with around 3,000 workers walking out in support of the sacked workers. Staff at Lindsey initially striked on 11th June in protest at a subcontractor axing 51 jobs while another was hiring new people. One week later, Total released the news that 647 construction workers had been sacked for participating in unofficial strikes.

Representatives from a subcontractor named Jacobs, unions Unite and the GMB, and Total will be holding the talks later this week.