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Refinery dispute talks to resume Refinery dispute talks to resume
(9 minutes later)
Talks aimed at resolving the bitter row over the sacking of almost 650 oil refinery workers are to resume as wildcat sympathy strikes continue.Talks aimed at resolving the bitter row over the sacking of almost 650 oil refinery workers are to resume as wildcat sympathy strikes continue.
Unions are demanding workers at Lindsey in North Lincolnshire be reinstated and guarantees of no victimisation of activists involved in sympathy strikes.Unions are demanding workers at Lindsey in North Lincolnshire be reinstated and guarantees of no victimisation of activists involved in sympathy strikes.
Negotiations with contractors and the refinery's owners Total were adjourned after five hours on Tuesday.Negotiations with contractors and the refinery's owners Total were adjourned after five hours on Tuesday.
Some 4,000 power station and oil or gas terminal workers have been striking.Some 4,000 power station and oil or gas terminal workers have been striking.
Sites hit have included the Drax power station in Selby, Yorkshire, along with others in Milford Haven, west Wales, Longannet in Fife and on Teesside.Sites hit have included the Drax power station in Selby, Yorkshire, along with others in Milford Haven, west Wales, Longannet in Fife and on Teesside.
However, reports suggest about 900 contract workers at the Sellafield nuclear site in Cumbria, who had been taking unofficial action since Monday, have returned to work. About 900 contract workers at the Sellafield nuclear site in Cumbria returned to work on Wednesday, only for 100 to later walk out again.
Operations 'unaffected'Operations 'unaffected'
The Lindsey workers first withdrew their labour on 11 June in protest at a sub-contractor axing 51 jobs while another employer on the site was hiring people.The Lindsey workers first withdrew their labour on 11 June in protest at a sub-contractor axing 51 jobs while another employer on the site was hiring people.
Just over a week later, Total announced that 647 construction workers had been sacked for taking part in unofficial strikes.Just over a week later, Total announced that 647 construction workers had been sacked for taking part in unofficial strikes.
Among the unions' demands are the provision of jobs for the 51 workers originally laid off.Among the unions' demands are the provision of jobs for the 51 workers originally laid off.
A spokeswoman for the GMB union said some progress had been made during Tuesday's talks but that "significant hurdles" remained.A spokeswoman for the GMB union said some progress had been made during Tuesday's talks but that "significant hurdles" remained.
A spokesman for the South Hook liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Milford Haven, west Wales, said that despite strike action, normal operations remain unaffected.A spokesman for the South Hook liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Milford Haven, west Wales, said that despite strike action, normal operations remain unaffected.
"Approximately 230 of the contract construction workforce working on the build of phase two at the South Hook terminal near Milford Haven walked off site for the third consecutive day," he added."Approximately 230 of the contract construction workforce working on the build of phase two at the South Hook terminal near Milford Haven walked off site for the third consecutive day," he added.
The GMB has launched a £100,000 hardship fund to support strikers.The GMB has launched a £100,000 hardship fund to support strikers.
It is pressing ahead with a national ballot of thousands of workers in the industry in a long-running dispute over jobs and conditions.It is pressing ahead with a national ballot of thousands of workers in the industry in a long-running dispute over jobs and conditions.
Leader Paul Kenny said the start of the ballot was about a week away. Another union, Unite, is also planning a national ballot of its members.Leader Paul Kenny said the start of the ballot was about a week away. Another union, Unite, is also planning a national ballot of its members.