This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/humber/7857996.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Oil refineries protest escalates Hundreds join refineries walkout
(about 4 hours later)
Hundreds of workers have walked out at two oil refineries as a protest over the use of foreign labour escalated. Hundreds of energy industry contractors have walked out at sites in northern England and Scotland in an escalating protest over the use of foreign labour.
Police said about 800 people from the Lindsey and Conoco Phillips refineries in North Lincolnshire were involved in the unofficial strike. The dispute began at the Lindsey Oil Refinery, North Lincolnshire, on Wednesday after a construction contract was awarded to an Italian firm.
Staff at Lindsey Oil Refinery walked out on Wednesday when a contractor took on 90 overseas workers. Unions said the contract should have been given to British workers.
Total, which owns the plant, said there would be no direct redundancies as a result of the contract being awarded. In a second day of action, 800 people protested outside the refinery as workers from other sites joined in.
The dispute began on Wednesday when 300 workers walked off a construction site at Lindsey Oil Refinery. Hundreds of contract workers at the neighbouring Conoco Phillips oil refinery took part in Thursday's action.
The work was won by IREM, an Italian-based contractor, which brought in its own workforce. Employees at BP's Dimlington gas terminal in East Yorkshire and its chemical manufacturing plant in Saltend, Hull, also walked out in support of the Lindsey refinery workers.
A Unite union shop steward, who did not wish to be named, said they were angry that foreigners were being employed by the contractor, Jacobs, at a time when British workers were being laid off. There are men here whose fathers and uncles... built this refinery from scratch. It's outrageous. Bernard McAuley, Unite union
'No redundancies' Unofficial strike action was also taken by workers at Scottish Power's Longannet power station in Fife.
He said hundreds of workers at the neighbouring Conoco Phillips refinery had joined them outside the gates of Lindsey Oil Refinery on Thursday. Total, which owns the Lindsey refinery, said its main refining operations on the 500-acre site remained unaffected by the action.
He had also received reports of wildcat action at other sites, including the Dimlington and Easington gas terminals in East Yorkshire. It also stressed that there would be no direct redundancies as a result of the construction contract being awarded to Italian-based contractor IREM.
Lindsey Oil Refinery owner Total said its main refining operations on the 500-acre site remained unaffected by the action. Unite union regional officer Bernard McAuley said workers at the refinery had been joined by hundreds of trade unionists and other supporters from around the UK.
"We recognise the concerns of contractors but it is important to note that there will be no direct redundancies as a result of this contract being awarded," a Total statement said. He said: "They've come from all over the country. We reckon there were almost 1,000 people here today.
"We've also had huge numbers of messages of support from people who are incensed by this decision. It's a total mockery.
Police kept a watching brief on the protesters outside the refinery
"There are men here whose fathers and uncles have worked at this refinery, built this refinery from scratch. It's outrageous."
The action was set to continue outside the refinery gates on Friday morning, the union said.
Total said in a statement: "We recognise the concerns of contractors but it is important to note that there will be no direct redundancies as a result of this contract being awarded.
"We have been a major local employer for 40 years and have always enjoyed a good relationship with our staff and contractors."We have been a major local employer for 40 years and have always enjoyed a good relationship with our staff and contractors.
"We are disappointed they have taken this action and we hope the situation will be resolved as soon as possible and the contractors return to work.""We are disappointed they have taken this action and we hope the situation will be resolved as soon as possible and the contractors return to work."
'Peaceful' protest
The site on Eastfield Road is the third largest refinery in the country, processing more than 200,000 barrels a day.
It opened 40 years ago to process oil from North Sea wells.
Nobody was available for comment from Conoco Phillips.
Humberside Police said: "At this moment in time there are approximately 800 peaceful protesters at the site.
"Police resources will be in attendance at the site as well as the surrounding area throughout the day.
"I would reassure our local communities that our main aim is to ensure the safety of both local businesses and public as well as those taking part in the protest in order to minimise disruption and to keep traffic flowing."
This demonstration had already affected local traffic with road closures in place at Eastfield Road.