Unofficial strike action tops 4000 workers
As the dispute at the Lindsey oil refinery mushrooms out of control it has been revealed that up to 4000 workers are now on unofficial strike action across the UK. This has this evening prompted French company Total, which runs the Lindsey oil refinery, to agree to face-to-face talks with UK unions. Despite the fact that the unions have been critical of the wildcat and unofficial strikes they appear to have taken up the dispute on behalf of affected workers.
The unions are looking for guarantees that those who lost their jobs at the Lindsey oil terminal will be reinstated as soon as possible and there will be no recriminations for those involved in sympathetic strike action around the country. It has been suggested that the strike has so far cost Total in the region of £85 million and was potentially putting a new project at risk. Even though it looks as though both parties are keen to find a solution to the problem there are serious concerns that we may see more strike action across the UK over the next 12 months.
It is noticeable that we have seen a major increase in union disputes since the onset of the UK recession as the traditional battle between unions and employers is reignited.
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