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/7859800.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Oil refinery strike to continue Oil refinery strike to continue
(about 3 hours later)
Hundreds of striking energy workers are due to hold a mass meeting over the use of foreign workers on a construction project at an oil refinery. Hundreds of striking energy workers are holding a mass meeting over the use of foreign workers on a construction project at an oil refinery.
At least 800 people demonstrated at the Lindsey Oil Refinery in North Lincolnshire on Thursday after an Italian firm won the £200m contract. About 300 people have so far gathered at the Lindsey Oil Refinery in North Lincolnshire to protest against a £200m contract given to an Italian firm.
Unions said British staff should be doing the work.Unions said British staff should be doing the work.
Total, owners of the refinery at North Killingholme, said there would be "no direct redundancies" as a result.Total, owners of the refinery at North Killingholme, said there would be "no direct redundancies" as a result.
At least 800 people demonstrated at the plant on Thursday.
Industry contractors walked out at sites in northern England and Scotland in support over the escalating protest, which began on Wednesday with a walk-out by Lindsey workers.Industry contractors walked out at sites in northern England and Scotland in support over the escalating protest, which began on Wednesday with a walk-out by Lindsey workers.
We are disappointed they have taken this action and we hope the situation will be resolved as soon as possible Total statementWe are disappointed they have taken this action and we hope the situation will be resolved as soon as possible Total statement
Unite union regional officer Bernard McAuley said workers had also been joined by trade unionists and supporters from across the UKUnite union regional officer Bernard McAuley said workers had also been joined by trade unionists and supporters from across the UK
"They've come from all over the country," he said. "We reckon there were almost 1,000 people here."They've come from all over the country," he said. "We reckon there were almost 1,000 people here.
"We've also had huge numbers of messages of support from people who are incensed by this decision. It's a total mockery."We've also had huge numbers of messages of support from people who are incensed by this decision. It's a total mockery.
"There are men here whose fathers and uncles have worked at this refinery, built this refinery from scratch. It's outrageous.""There are men here whose fathers and uncles have worked at this refinery, built this refinery from scratch. It's outrageous."
Humberside Police said numbers of protesters at the demonstration, which passed off peacefully, were nearer 800.Humberside Police said numbers of protesters at the demonstration, which passed off peacefully, were nearer 800.
Employees at BP's Dimlington gas terminal in East Yorkshire and its chemical manufacturing plant in Saltend, Hull, also walked out in support of the Lindsey refinery workers.Employees at BP's Dimlington gas terminal in East Yorkshire and its chemical manufacturing plant in Saltend, Hull, also walked out in support of the Lindsey refinery workers.
Police kept a watching brief on the protesters outside the refineryPolice kept a watching brief on the protesters outside the refinery
Unofficial strike action was also taken by workers at Scottish Power's Longannet power station in Fife.Unofficial strike action was also taken by workers at Scottish Power's Longannet power station in Fife.
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.
In a statement it 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."
It said its main refining operations on the 500-acre site remained unaffected by the action.It said its main refining operations on the 500-acre site remained unaffected by the action.


Are in you involved in the walkout? What do you think of the protest? You can send us your experiences using the form below:Are in you involved in the walkout? What do you think of the protest? You can send us your experiences using the form below:
Name
Name