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900 workers sacked at oil plant 900 workers sacked at oil plant
(10 minutes later)
Nearly 900 workers at the Lindsey oil refinery have been sacked, following unofficial strike action at the plant, the UNITE union has told the BBC.Nearly 900 workers at the Lindsey oil refinery have been sacked, following unofficial strike action at the plant, the UNITE union has told the BBC.
About 1,200 contract workers walked out last week in a dispute over 51 redundancies. They claim an agreement not to cut any jobs had been broken.About 1,200 contract workers walked out last week in a dispute over 51 redundancies. They claim an agreement not to cut any jobs had been broken.
Total, who own the Lincolnshire plant, say no such agreement was in place.Total, who own the Lincolnshire plant, say no such agreement was in place.
Managers had asked staff to return to work, but on Thursday night they confirmed hundreds had been sacked.Managers had asked staff to return to work, but on Thursday night they confirmed hundreds had been sacked.
The action at Lindsey has spread to other power stations at Drax and Eggborough in Yorkshire and Ratcliffe in Nottinghamshire, and BP's Saltend refinery near Hull.The action at Lindsey has spread to other power stations at Drax and Eggborough in Yorkshire and Ratcliffe in Nottinghamshire, and BP's Saltend refinery near Hull.
Workers have also walked at the BOC oxygen plant at Scunthorpe, Fiddlers Ferry in Cheshire and Aberthaw in south Wales.Workers have also walked at the BOC oxygen plant at Scunthorpe, Fiddlers Ferry in Cheshire and Aberthaw in south Wales.
'Illegal''Illegal'
The Lindsey workers withdrew their labour in protest at a sub-contractor axing 51 jobs while another employer on the site was hiring people.The Lindsey workers withdrew their labour in protest at a sub-contractor axing 51 jobs while another employer on the site was hiring people.
Planned talks between unions and employers aimed at breaking the deadlock stalled on Tuesday.Planned talks between unions and employers aimed at breaking the deadlock stalled on Tuesday.
Total said the strike was illegal and talks could not begin until workers returned to their jobs.Total said the strike was illegal and talks could not begin until workers returned to their jobs.
The Lindsey refinery suffered strikes earlier this year over the employment of non-UK workers.The Lindsey refinery suffered strikes earlier this year over the employment of non-UK workers.
Following the news of the sackings, a representative of UNITE said staff had believed there was a local agreement in place not to cut any jobs while those foreign contactors were employed.Following the news of the sackings, a representative of UNITE said staff had believed there was a local agreement in place not to cut any jobs while those foreign contactors were employed.
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