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Oil worker sackings spark walkout Longannet workers prolong strike
(about 12 hours later)
Workers involved in wildcat strike action at a Fife power station will hold a meeting early on Tuesday morning to discuss the walkout. The majority of 150 contract workers at the Longannet power station in Fife have decided to continue their unofficial action.
The action at Longannet Power Station is in support of staff sacked at Total's Lindsey plant, in Lincolnshire. They had walked out in support of strikers at the Lindsey refinery in Lincolnshire.
The contract construction workers are due to meet at Longannet at 0700 BST. Staff from some minor contractors are still meeting to decide on their next move.
Scottish Power said a "small number" were involved and power supplies were unaffected. The GMB union condemned the unofficial walkout. Total has dropped its opposition to talks to resolve the unofficial strike there.
The company, which runs the facility in North Lincolnshire, had previously insisted that negotiations could only take place if staff returned to work.
It has now said it is actively encouraging talks.
The GMB union condemned the unofficial walkout and is to hold a national strike ballot to consider industrial action over employment laws for workers.
Thousands of workers across England and Wales have also walked out in support of 647 staff sacked from Lindsey Oil Refinery.Thousands of workers across England and Wales have also walked out in support of 647 staff sacked from Lindsey Oil Refinery.
Total, which runs the facility in North Lincolnshire, has told the sacked workers to reapply for their jobs.
The dismissals came after about 1,200 workers staged unofficial walkouts at the plant over a jobs dispute.
Bitter disputeBitter dispute
Total has told the sacked workers to reapply for their jobs.
The dismissals came after about 1,200 workers staged unofficial walkouts at the plant over a jobs dispute.
The workers had accused bosses of breaking an agreement not to cut jobs while there were vacancies elsewhere on the site. Total insisted no such agreement was in place.The workers had accused bosses of breaking an agreement not to cut jobs while there were vacancies elsewhere on the site. Total insisted no such agreement was in place.
Workers say the assurances were given in February, following a bitter dispute in which they said foreign labour was being used to exclude British contractors and to undermine conditions.Workers say the assurances were given in February, following a bitter dispute in which they said foreign labour was being used to exclude British contractors and to undermine conditions.
The row in February led to a wave of unofficial strikes and protests at refineries and power stations across the UK, including at Longannet.The row in February led to a wave of unofficial strikes and protests at refineries and power stations across the UK, including at Longannet.
Following the latest action, a Scottish Power spokesperson said: "Scottish Power can confirm that a small number of contractors working at Longannet Power Station have voted to take part in the UK-wide unofficial industrial action.Following the latest action, a Scottish Power spokesperson said: "Scottish Power can confirm that a small number of contractors working at Longannet Power Station have voted to take part in the UK-wide unofficial industrial action.
"ScottishPower employees are not taking part in the campaign and production of power supplies are not affected." "Scottish Power employees are not taking part in the campaign and production of power supplies are not affected."