Hundreds of striking workers are taking part in 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 in a third day of protests in North Lincolnshire over the use of foreign labour on a construction site.
Up to 1,000 people have gathered outside 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.
Protesters are carrying posters calling for UK jobs to be given to British workers.
He said the protest was disrupted at about 0615 GMT, when a car collided with an oil tanker at the entrance to the refinery.
The protest was disrupted at 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. We are disappointed they have taken this action and we hope the situation will be resolved as soon as possible Total statement
Firefighters took about 30 minutes to free the driver of the car, who was then taken to hospital. 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".
Once the protesters were assembled in a car park opposite the refinery they were addressed by union leaders.
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.
Unite regional officer Bernard McAuley told them: "There is sufficient unemployed skilled labour wanting the right to work on that site and they are demanding the right to work on that site.
"We think they should be sent home, that this job should be given to the British and it's just diabolical really."
"Our general secretaries of Unite and the GMB have called upon the prime minister to call an urgent meeting with the heads of industry in the engineering and construction industry to clients and the trade unions to get round the table.
"We want fairness. We want the rights of our members to have the opportunity to be employed, not just on this job but on all jobs around the United Kingdom."
Protester Kenny Ward told the crowd they had to stand together and take on the "greedy employer".
He said: "This is what it's about, it's about collective strength. I'm a victim, you are a victim, there are thousands in this country that are victims to this discrimination, this victimisation of the British worker."
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.
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."
Refinery protest into third day
Refinery 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.
They included employees at BP's Dimlington gas terminal in East Yorkshire and its chemical manufacturing plant in Saltend, Hull.
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-sulphurisation 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.
Cleethorpes MP Shona McIsaac said the decision was "like a red rag to a bull for people in our community who are out of work and who have skills that could be used in this construction project".
"We have been a major local employer for 40 years and have always enjoyed a good relationship with our staff and contractors.
In a statement, Total said: "We recognise the concerns of contractors, but we want to stress that there will be no direct redundancies as a result of this contract being awarded to IREM and that all IREM staff will be paid the same as the existing contractors working on the project.
"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 is important to note that we have been a major local employer for 40 years with 550 permanent staff employed at the refinery.
"On this one specific occasion, IREM was selected, through a fair and competitive tender process, as the most appropriate company to complete this work. We will continue to put contracts out to tender in the future and we are confident we will award further contracts to UK companies.
"We are disappointed they have taken this action and we hope contractors' return to work so the situation can be resolved as soon as possible through discussion with their union representatives."
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:
