Deal ends oil refinery strikes
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Wildcat strikes by thousands of contract workers were ending today after a deal was agreed to resolve a bitter row over jobs at an oil refinery.
Union leaders and employers reached an agreement late last night to end the dispute which flared at the Lindsey oil refinery in North Lincolnshire.
The deal will be recommended for acceptance at a mass meeting outside the refinery on Monday morning.
Sources said the deal involved the reinstatement of 647 workers at the oil refinery who were sacked for taking unofficial action in protest at the laying off of 51 employees by a sub-contractor.
It is believed the 51 workers will also be offered jobs as part of the agreement.
Unions have also won assurances that thousands of workers at power stations and oil and gas terminals who took sympathy action will not be victimised.
Workers who have been taking unofficial action for the past week held early morning meetings, including at the Sellafield nuclear site in Cumbria, and returned to work after being told of the breakthrough.
Les Bayliss, assistant general secretary of Unite, said: "We're pleased that we were able to thrash out a deal which the union can put to the workforce at Lindsey.
"Following hours of detailed negotiations, there has been a significant breakthrough. The proposals for a return to work will be recommended to the workforce by the union's shop stewards at Lindsey on Monday morning.
"The employers have agreed to reinstate all the sacked workers. We welcome the part the employers played in agreeing these proposals."
Mr Bayliss said it was now time for the Government to repeal "anti-trade union" legislation, complaining that UK workers were victims of the most "restrictive" trade union laws in Europe.
Officials from the GMB union also attended last night's meeting and will be recommending the deal to its members at Lindsey.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments