Financial News

Click to enlarge photo

A row over jobs at an oil refinery has turned into a bitter dispute that could threaten Britain's electricity supply.

Hundreds of contractors at the Lindsey oil refinery in North Lincolnshire were sacked late on Thursday night, and activists say sympathy strikes could now spread across the country.

The 650 workers were sent letters saying they had until Monday afternoon to reapply for their jobs, sparking a wave of wildcat strikes which may now gather momentum

Downing Street announced Acas had convened a meeting between unions and management at the oil refinery, owned by French energy giant Total.

But the conciliation service later revealed it did not go ahead.

Acas said: "We were invited by Total management for potential talks between the parties today.

"After discussions between Total management and their contractors, they decided not to go ahead with the talks. We remain in touch with the parties."

Union sources said their officials waited for four hours before being told Total "no longer felt the need" to have a meeting.

GMB leader Paul Kenny said it was an "outrage and a disgrace" the talks did not go ahead.

Total said: "We have had contact with Acas and hope to be able to talk with them further next week once our contractor workforce has had the opportunity to decide if they wish to continue on this important project."

Wildcat strikes had already spread to several power stations and other terminals in the past few days as thousands of workers took sympathy action.

They included workers at the Staythorpe power station in Nottinghamshire, Ferrybridge power station in Yorkshire, Stanlow oil refinery in Cheshire and around 1,100 construction workers building a bio-fuel plant on Teesside.

One of the sacked Lindsey workers said: "We are asking for support from workers across the country which I am sure will be given. Total will soon realise they have unleashed a monster."

Text messages sent to workers across the country read: "Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Your support is now needed more than ever. If you are supporting our brothers across the country thank you.

"If you're not yet out just remember next time it could be you. We must fight this NOW."

A Downing Street spokesman criticised the unofficial action and urged workers to reapply for their jobs and start talks with bosses.