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Refinery workers in strike talks Refinery in strike talks deadlock
(about 5 hours later)
Talks are continuing to try to end a dispute at a North Lincolnshire oil refinery as an unofficial strike by 1,200 workers enters its fourth day. An unofficial strike at an oil refinery in North Lincolnshire is continuing for a fourth day after planned talks aimed at breaking the deadlock stalled.
The conciliation service Acas was due to attend a scheduled meeting between unions and employers at the Lindsey Oil Refinery in North Lincolnshire. About 1,200 contractors at the Lindsey refinery walked out last Thursday over plans to cut 51 jobs.
Workers walked out last week over plans by a sub-contractor to cut 51 jobs. The GMB union pressed the conciliation service Acas to attend a scheduled meeting between unions and employers.
On Monday, 140 contractors at Fiddlers Ferry Power Station in Widnes, Cheshire, walked out in support. But refinery owner Total said the strike was illegal and talks could not begin until employees returned to work.
The electricians, insulators and scaffolders were due to hold another meeting on Tuesday to decide whether or not to return to work. Paul Kenny, general secretary of the GMB, said: "We are very saddened by this aggressive stance.
'Stability and peace' "GMB and Acas are trying to resolve these difficulties.
Urgent talks on Monday between union officials and contractors at Lindsey oil refinery ended without agreement. Threats and bullying are not the route to industrial peace Paul Kenny, GMB general secretary
Paul Kenny, general secretary of the GMB union, said: "We are pleased that the management have agreed to the union's initiative to bring in Acas. "The employers are seeking to provoke a reaction which we fear they may regret.
"We will do everything we can to bring about stability and peace on this site. "The employers should stop acting like mill owners, effectively locking our members out.
"We just hope that the employers and the site contractors do not continue with their aggressive approach towards the workforce." "They need to get around the table with the GMB and Acas to resolve matters.
The site was hit by unofficial action earlier this year in a row over the recruitment of non-UK workers. "Threats and bullying are not the route to industrial peace."
The refinery's owner Total said on Monday it was "extremely disappointed and frustrated" that the contractors had decided not to return to work . 'Illegal' action
"The contractor workforce was asked to return to work and end the illegal walkout at a meeting between contractor management and union representatives," a Total spokesman said. A Total spokesman said: "We are extremely disappointed and frustrated that our contractor workforce... has decided to continue its unofficial walk-out."
"The contractor workforce decided to continue the unofficial action. The company said about 350 people were gathered outside the project entrances.
"However, the refinery continues to operate normally and is not affected by this action." "As this action is illegal, we cannot enter into discussions with union officials until the workforce returns to work," Total said.
"We have asked them this morning to return immediately so we can talk to their union representatives and resolve the situation as soon as possible."
The company said the refinery's operations had not been affected by the action.