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Foreign labour row deal rejected Foreign labour row deal rejected
(about 1 hour later)
Workers battling against the use of foreign labour at Lindsey Oil Refinery in Lincolnshire have refused to accept a deal proposed after Acas talks. Workers battling against contracts using foreign labour at Lindsey Oil Refinery in Lincolnshire have rejected a deal proposed after Acas talks.
A mass meeting was told 60 of the 198 disputed jobs would potentially be made available to British workers. A mass meeting was told 60 out of 198 disputed jobs could be available to UK workers, but the unions said they were making progress with a further offer.
But there was confusion as the GMB said the offer put to the meeting had been superceded by another, of 101 UK jobs. The BBC understands these would be new jobs and no foreign workers will lose their post as a result of negotiations.
But protesters have vowed to continue their unofficial action, calling the first offer a "derisory olive branch". Protesters vowed to continue their action until they achieved "victory".
Workers are angry a sub-contractor is bringing in non-British labour, and similar protests spread around the UK. One union activist called the offer of 60 jobs a "derisory olive branch".
Workers are angry a sub-contractor is "excluding" British workers in the way it is importing a ready-made workforce from Europe, and similar protests have spread around the UK in the past week.
Proof demandedProof demanded
The suggested solution came after two days of talks between unions and the refinery owner. Negotiations are now continuing, and there are indications the higher offer may emerge on Wednesday afternoon. The suggested solution to give some of the jobs to Britons came after two days of talks between unions and the refinery owner, Total.
A GMB spokesman said they were awaiting details of the 101-job offer - which apparently came late on Tuesday evening - to be put in writing. Negotiations have been going on since Monday and are now continuing. Another offer is expected to emerge on Wednesday afternoon.
A GMB spokesman said they were awaiting details of an offer of 101 jobs for British workers - which apparently came late on Tuesday evening - to be put in writing.
Speaking from the Lindsey site, the BBC's Danny Savage said: "As things stand this protest continues, this dispute is not over."Speaking from the Lindsey site, the BBC's Danny Savage said: "As things stand this protest continues, this dispute is not over."
At a mass meeting on site on Wednesday, protesters heard a proposed deal would see 40 skilled and 20 unskilled jobs being made available to the British workforce. FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeAt a mass meeting on site on Wednesday, protesters heard a proposed deal would see 40 skilled and 20 unskilled jobs being made available to the British workforce. FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
But our correspondent said they believed the figure was too low. They have also demanded proof that the foreign workers being brought in are on the same pay and terms and conditions as their British counterparts.But our correspondent said they believed the figure was too low. They have also demanded proof that the foreign workers being brought in are on the same pay and terms and conditions as their British counterparts.
Total has consistently claimed this is the case, but local workers do not believe it, added our correspondent.Total has consistently claimed this is the case, but local workers do not believe it, added our correspondent.
Unemployed workers and contractors in oil refineries, power stations and nuclear plants have been taking part in protests since last week.Unemployed workers and contractors in oil refineries, power stations and nuclear plants have been taking part in protests since last week.
Union activists have said the issue has been simmering in the industry for years, with British workers being excluded from applying for some jobs.Union activists have said the issue has been simmering in the industry for years, with British workers being excluded from applying for some jobs.
On Wednesday morning protesters again gathered at the Lindsey site, a week after the walkouts began. On Wednesday morning protesters again gathered at the Lindsey site, in North Killingholme, where the current row erupted a week ago.
The current row is centred on the North Lincolnshire plant, in North Killingholme, which is owned by French company Total. Work to expand the refinery was sub-contracted by Total's main contractor - engineering firm Jacobs - to an Italian company, IREM, which decided to use its own foreign workforce.
A contract for work to expand the refinery was sub-contracted by Total's main contractor - engineering firm Jacobs - to an Italian company, IREM, which decided to use its own foreign workforce.
Total insists it is not discriminating against British workers and that the decision to award the contract was fair. ONE WEEK OF SUPPORT PROTESTS 1-5: Stanlow oil refinery [1]; Longannet Power Station [2]; Drax Power Station [3]; Coryton Refinery [4]; Langage Power Station [5]6-10: Marchwood Power Station [6]; Fawley Refinery [7]; Torness Power Station [8]; Mossmorran chemical plant [9]; Aberthaw power station [10] 11-15: South Hook gas terminal [11]; ICI chemical refinery [12]; Corus steel plant [13]; Fiddler's Ferry Power Station [14]; AES Kilroot Power Station [15]16-22: Cockenzie Power Station [16]; Sellafield nuclear site [17]; Heysham nuclear power station [18]; Staythorpe power station [19]; Didcot Power Station [20] Grangemouth oil refinery [21]; St Fergus gas plant [22]Total insists it is not discriminating against British workers and that the decision to award the contract was fair. ONE WEEK OF SUPPORT PROTESTS 1-5: Stanlow oil refinery [1]; Longannet Power Station [2]; Drax Power Station [3]; Coryton Refinery [4]; Langage Power Station [5]6-10: Marchwood Power Station [6]; Fawley Refinery [7]; Torness Power Station [8]; Mossmorran chemical plant [9]; Aberthaw power station [10] 11-15: South Hook gas terminal [11]; ICI chemical refinery [12]; Corus steel plant [13]; Fiddler's Ferry Power Station [14]; AES Kilroot Power Station [15]16-22: Cockenzie Power Station [16]; Sellafield nuclear site [17]; Heysham nuclear power station [18]; Staythorpe power station [19]; Didcot Power Station [20] Grangemouth oil refinery [21]; St Fergus gas plant [22]
But the protests spread and in the last week thousands of workers at more than 20 sites in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have taken part in sympathy walkouts and protests.But the protests spread and in the last week thousands of workers at more than 20 sites in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have taken part in sympathy walkouts and protests.
Talks involving the unions, Total, and its contractors began on Monday in Scunthorpe, then moved to a hotel near Grimsby.
Union sources had earlier told the BBC that the deal may offer 50% of the disputed jobs to British workers.Union sources had earlier told the BBC that the deal may offer 50% of the disputed jobs to British workers.
The offer put to the mass meeting, of 60 jobs, was a "derisory olive branch", said Unite shop steward Kenny Ward.The offer put to the mass meeting, of 60 jobs, was a "derisory olive branch", said Unite shop steward Kenny Ward.
He said the mood was resolute and the workers were "determined to achieve a victory at Lindsey because this is where the fight started".He said the mood was resolute and the workers were "determined to achieve a victory at Lindsey because this is where the fight started".
He said people had had enough of employers using "unjust laws" to "pitch one European worker against fellow European workers" in the pursuit of profit.He said people had had enough of employers using "unjust laws" to "pitch one European worker against fellow European workers" in the pursuit of profit.
Derek Simpson, joint general secretary of Unite, told BBC Breakfast that besides this dispute there was a "wider problem" to address.Derek Simpson, joint general secretary of Unite, told BBC Breakfast that besides this dispute there was a "wider problem" to address.
"Even if this dispute is settled [there is] still a major problem about how these foreign companies, who win contracts and come complete with a workforce, are going to create other difficulties."Even if this dispute is settled [there is] still a major problem about how these foreign companies, who win contracts and come complete with a workforce, are going to create other difficulties.
"We need to build in some sort of concept that the jobs that are created by these contracts are open to everyone - to foreign and to UK workers.""We need to build in some sort of concept that the jobs that are created by these contracts are open to everyone - to foreign and to UK workers."
He said there were several other similar disputes "bubbling under" at other places.He said there were several other similar disputes "bubbling under" at other places.
"It will occur again, and I'm sure it will occur in other countries as well unless there's a realisation that you can't just use the freedom of labour to the exclusion of indigenous labour.""It will occur again, and I'm sure it will occur in other countries as well unless there's a realisation that you can't just use the freedom of labour to the exclusion of indigenous labour."
Protesters have vehemently denied the issue is about racism against the foreign workers themselves.The European workers are living in floating accommodation nearbyProtesters have vehemently denied the issue is about racism against the foreign workers themselves.The European workers are living in floating accommodation nearby
They say it is a battle to allow British workers equal access to jobs on British construction sites.They say it is a battle to allow British workers equal access to jobs on British construction sites.
The CBI has backed Total, while Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has said the country should focus on the economics of the recession, not on "the politics of xenophobia".The CBI has backed Total, while Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has said the country should focus on the economics of the recession, not on "the politics of xenophobia".
But Labour backbencher Jon Cruddas criticised the language being used by the government and said people should focus on the need for employers to respect local employment agreements as well as national pay deals.But Labour backbencher Jon Cruddas criticised the language being used by the government and said people should focus on the need for employers to respect local employment agreements as well as national pay deals.
He said referring to the anger as xenophobic showed a lack of respect for the issues.He said referring to the anger as xenophobic showed a lack of respect for the issues.
Labour MP John Mann has put down a Commons early day motion "deploring" the use of foreign workers at the Lindsey refinery and praising unions for "exposing this exploitation and the absence of equal opportunities to apply for all jobs".Labour MP John Mann has put down a Commons early day motion "deploring" the use of foreign workers at the Lindsey refinery and praising unions for "exposing this exploitation and the absence of equal opportunities to apply for all jobs".