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/8058822.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Second day of labour row walkout Second day of labour row walkout
(40 minutes later)
About 600 workers at two oil refineries have started a second day of unofficial action in a dispute over the use of foreign labour. Hundreds of workers at two oil refineries have started a second day of unofficial action in a dispute over the use of foreign labour.
Contract workers at the ConocoPhillips and Lindsey oil refineries in North Lincolnshire walked out on Tuesday and have voted to continue the action.Contract workers at the ConocoPhillips and Lindsey oil refineries in North Lincolnshire walked out on Tuesday and have voted to continue the action.
They are supporting striking workers at South Hook liquefied natural gas site in Wales. They are supporting striking workers at South Hook natural gas site in Wales.
The contractor there said it had tried to find local skilled labour. Police said about 800 protesters were blocking roads around the Lindsey site and urged motorists to avoid the area.
The North Lincolnshire workers decided to continue their walkout at meetings on Wednesday morning. A police spokesman said the protesters were blocking the A160 and were making their way towards the A180.
He said: "Officers have been speaking to the protesters in order to facilitate a peaceful protest.
"Roads policing officers are in attendance to ensure the safety of protesters as well as other motorists and members of the community."
Contract workers from across the UK took part in a similar action in January and February over a £200m construction contract at Lindsey Oil Refinery being given to an Italian firm.Contract workers from across the UK took part in a similar action in January and February over a £200m construction contract at Lindsey Oil Refinery being given to an Italian firm.
Contractor 'regret'Contractor 'regret'
Tony Ryan, a steward at Lindsey Oil refinery, told the BBC: "They [the South Hook workers] came out in support of us in February and we are doing the same. Tony Ryan, a steward at Lindsey Oil refinery, told the BBC the action could last days or weeks.
"They are suffering the same hardship as we suffered in February and the same discrimination and they have asked for our support and we are giving it fully." He said: "They [the South Hook workers] came out in support of us in February and we are doing the same.
Mr Ryan said the action could last days or weeks. "They are suffering the same hardship as we suffered in February and the same discrimination and they have asked for our support and we are giving it fully.
"They are hoping for talks with management and hopefully they'll see sense and they'll start employing British labour."
United shop steward Kenny Ward said: "We will be here every day until this matter is resolved and the politicians sit up and listen and do something about the plight of this industry."
The ConocoPhillips site employs 750 people. Pic courtesy of ConocoPhillipsThe ConocoPhillips site employs 750 people. Pic courtesy of ConocoPhillips
But he added: "They [the South Hook workers] are hoping for talks with management and hopefully they'll see sense and they'll start employing British labour."
Hertel UK, the contractor for the South Hook site, said it had been unable to source skilled people for the start of the project.Hertel UK, the contractor for the South Hook site, said it had been unable to source skilled people for the start of the project.
Managing director David Fitzsimons said: "As a result, we subcontracted the works to a third party which also employs non-UK labour and was also engaged on phase 1 of this project in 2008.Managing director David Fitzsimons said: "As a result, we subcontracted the works to a third party which also employs non-UK labour and was also engaged on phase 1 of this project in 2008.
"This is a short term project and our involvement will be for approximately three months. We have agreed with union officials that we will hire local skilled personnel once they are identified."This is a short term project and our involvement will be for approximately three months. We have agreed with union officials that we will hire local skilled personnel once they are identified.
"I regret that this situation has escalated. We understand people's concerns and we have engaged in detailed discussions with trade union national officials and local representatives.""I regret that this situation has escalated. We understand people's concerns and we have engaged in detailed discussions with trade union national officials and local representatives."
ConocoPhillips said the action had not affected operations at the site and it looked forward to "the situation being resolved as soon as possible".ConocoPhillips said the action had not affected operations at the site and it looked forward to "the situation being resolved as soon as possible".
Total UK, which owns Lindsey Oil Refinery, said: "We can confirm that a number of construction contractors working on the Lindsey Oil Refinery HDS-3 project have taken part in a walkout this morning as they continue to support protest action elsewhere in the country.
"Output from the refinery is unaffected and we hope that the construction contractors will return to work tomorrow."