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Refinery strikes spread across UK Refinery strikes spread across UK
(10 minutes later)
Strikes have been breaking out across the UK in support of a mass walkout by energy workers in Lincolnshire angry at the use of foreign workers.Strikes have been breaking out across the UK in support of a mass walkout by energy workers in Lincolnshire angry at the use of foreign workers.
Hundreds are gathered for the third day of the original strike at Lindsey Oil Refinery after owner Total gave a £200m contract to an Italian firm.Hundreds are gathered for the third day of the original strike at Lindsey Oil Refinery after owner Total gave a £200m contract to an Italian firm.
They have been joined by strikers in Grangemouth, in central Scotland, Aberthaw, in South Wales, and Teesside.They have been joined by strikers in Grangemouth, in central Scotland, Aberthaw, in South Wales, and Teesside.
"Sympathy strikes... are spreading rapidly," said the BBC's Danny Savage."Sympathy strikes... are spreading rapidly," said the BBC's Danny Savage.
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said the angry workers were "entitled to an answer".
Hundreds of striking workers are holding a mass meeting at the Lincolnshire refinery.Hundreds of striking workers are holding a mass meeting at the Lincolnshire refinery.
Total said there would be "no direct redundancies" at the refinery at North Killingholme as a result of the contract for the Italian company. It's been a kettle ready to boil and the lid has blown off now Kenny, protester Send us your commentsTotal said there would be "no direct redundancies" at the refinery at North Killingholme as a result of the contract for the Italian company. It's been a kettle ready to boil and the lid has blown off now Kenny, protester Send us your comments
Early on Friday around 700 workers at the Grangemouth Oil Refinery walked out in solidarity with the Lincolnshire strikers. Early on Friday workers at the Grangemouth Oil Refinery walked out in solidarity with the Lincolnshire strikers. Union officials said up to 800 staff - who work for BP and INEOS - had agreed at a meeting to stop working.
South Wales Police are attending a protest at Aberthaw Power Station, which organisers said involved around 50 people peacefully rallying outside the main gate.South Wales Police are attending a protest at Aberthaw Power Station, which organisers said involved around 50 people peacefully rallying outside the main gate.
Meanwhile Cleveland Police have confirmed that around 400 demonstrators are now involved in a protest at all four gates of the former ICI complex at Wilton on Teesside. Meanwhile up to 600 demonstrators have gathered outside chemical and steel plants on Teesside in support of the strike.
And some unconfirmed reports have suggested that up to 200 people have gathered outside the Corus plant near Redcar. Cleveland Police confirmed that around 400 demonstrators were involved in a protest at all four gates of the former ICI complex at Wilton on Teesside.
One protester at the Lincolnshire plant, called Kenny, said British workers should have priority of access to jobs. And some unconfirmed reports have suggested that up to 200 people have gathered outside the Corus steel plant near Redcar.
Speaking from Wilton, on Teesside, one protester called George urged the prime minister to take action:
"All we want is for Gordon Brown to fulfil his promise. He said British jobs for British workers."The walkouts began in Lincolnshire and have reached Wales and Scotland
A protester at the Lincolnshire plant, called Kenny, said British workers should have priority of access to jobs.
He said the issue was a growing one for many industries.He said the issue was a growing one for many industries.
"It's been a kettle ready to boil and the lid has blown off now.""It's been a kettle ready to boil and the lid has blown off now."
Total bosses said the Italian firm IREM, which employs a specialist workforce, had won the contract to construct the new HDS-3 unit at the Lindsey plant, after a tendering process.Total bosses said the Italian firm IREM, which employs a specialist workforce, had won the contract to construct the new HDS-3 unit at the Lindsey plant, after a tendering process.
More than 300 of the Italian firm's workers have been brought in to do the work.More than 300 of the Italian firm's workers have been brought in to do the work.
'Moral indignation''Moral indignation'
Joint leader of the Unite union, Derek Simpson, said workers felt powerless.Joint leader of the Unite union, Derek Simpson, said workers felt powerless.
"You can understand the moral indignation as well as the industrial concern that people are expected to have skills, but be unemployed and watch foreign workers [be employed] who have got more privilege because they're not barred from these contracts."You can understand the moral indignation as well as the industrial concern that people are expected to have skills, but be unemployed and watch foreign workers [be employed] who have got more privilege because they're not barred from these contracts.
"The only role that we have is to pay the electric bills from the power stations that they build. No-one can stand aside and say that that is any way justified.""The only role that we have is to pay the electric bills from the power stations that they build. No-one can stand aside and say that that is any way justified."
In a statement, Total said: "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.In a statement, Total said: "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."