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Refinery strike enters third day Refinery strike enters third day
(9 minutes later)
Hundreds of striking workers have started a third day of protests in North Lincolnshire over the use of foreign labour on a construction site. Hundreds of striking workers are taking part a third day of protests in North Lincolnshire over the use of foreign labour on a construction site.
About 300 people have so far gathered at the Lindsey Oil Refinery to protest against a £200m contract awarded to an Italian firm. Up to 1,000 people have gathered outside the Lindsey Oil Refinery to protest against a £200m contract awarded 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.
BBC North of England correspondent Danny Savage said the protesters were carrying "Put British workers first" posters.BBC North of England correspondent Danny Savage said the protesters were carrying "Put British workers first" posters.
He said the protest was disrupted at about 0615 GMT, when a car collided with an oil tanker at the entrance to the refinery.He said the protest was disrupted at about 0615 GMT, when a car collided with an oil tanker at the entrance to the refinery.
Firefighters took about 30 minutes to free the driver of the car, who was then taken to hospital. His condition is not known. Firefighters took about 30 minutes to free the driver of the car, who was then taken to hospital. His condition is not known. We are disappointed they have taken this action and we hope the situation will be resolved as soon as possible Total statement
We are disappointed they have taken this action and we hope the situation will be resolved as soon as possible Total statement
One protester told BBC News it was "absolutely disgusting that British people have been put aside for foreign labour".One protester told BBC News it was "absolutely disgusting that British people have been put aside for foreign labour".
He said: "Gordon Brown said in 2007... British jobs for British workers. It seems to be British jobs for foreign workers. And it's not on.He said: "Gordon Brown said in 2007... British jobs for British workers. It seems to be British jobs for foreign workers. And it's not on.
"We think they should be sent home, that this job should be given to the British and it's just diabolical really.""We think they should be sent home, that this job should be given to the British and it's just diabolical really."
At least 800 people demonstrated at the plant on Thursday.At least 800 people demonstrated at the plant on Thursday.
The protest began on Wednesday with a walk-out by Lindsey workers but has now escalated, with contractors walking out of sites across the UK in support.The protest began on Wednesday with a walk-out by Lindsey workers but has now escalated, with contractors walking out of sites across the UK in support.
Unite union regional officer Bernard McAuley said: "We've also had huge numbers of messages of support from people who are incensed by this decision. It's a total mockery.Unite union regional officer Bernard McAuley said: "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."
Refinery protest into third dayRefinery protest into third day
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.
Total bosses said the Italian firm IREM, which employs a specialist workforce, had won the contract to construct the new HDS-3 de-sulpherisation 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 de-sulpherisation unit at the Lindsey plant, after a tendering process.
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.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:
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