UK government under pressure as strike action grows
The UK government is this evening on the verge of intervening with regards to the unofficial strike action at the Lindsey Oil Refinery. What started as an unofficial strike by over 900 workers, in support of 51 colleagues who faced the sack, has now spread across the country and impacted upon the Sellafield nuclear plant today and a biofuel development on Teesside. The situation is becoming more critical by the hour with more sympathetic action expected over the coming days.
Over the last few months we have seen a significant increase in UK fuel bills although thankfully there were signs of weakness over the last few weeks. However, the longer this unofficial strike action continues and more power stations it encompasses the greater the chance of significant price spikes in the short to medium term. The fact that Total, the employer at the centre of the strike action, has yet to put any proposals to the "sacked workers" has further inflamed the situation.
Despite the fact that the action is still unofficial and could be illegal, unions are losing control of their members and many predict a significant increase in sympathetic strike action and wildcat protests over the next few days.
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