Strike action leads to mass sackings

19/06/2009

Almost 900 construction workers lose jobs over dispute

Nearly 900 construction workers have been sacked following unofficial strike action.

About 1,200 contract workers at a new plant at the Lindsey oil refinery in Lincolnshire walked out last week in a dispute over redundancies, claiming an agreement not to axe jobs had been broken.

Total, which owns the plant, denied any such agreement was in place, and then confirmed "with regret" that hundreds had been sacked.

A group has gathered outside the main gates of the Lindsey refinery, waving placards in protest.

A Unite spokesman said: "We are extremely concerned about the ramifications of the employers' actions. We are urging all parties to get back around the negotiating table to resolve this situation."