Refinery workers ready to end strike
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The bitter dispute by contract workers which has led to wildcat strikes at power stations and refineries across the country is set to come to an end today after a deal was agreed to resolve the row over jobs.
Hundreds of workers were to hold a mass meeting outside the Lindsey oil refinery in North Lincolnshire this morning and were to be recommended by union officials to accept the agreement which was thrashed out during marathon talks last week.
The workers have been on unofficial strike for weeks after complaining that 51 employees were being laid off at Lindsey, which is owned by energy giant Total, while other contractors on the site were hiring staff.
Thousands of workers across Britain took sympathy strike action in support of the Lindsey workers at up to 15 sites.
Phil Whitehurst, a senior shop steward from the GMB union drew huge crowds at the Glastonbury festival in Somerset this weekend when he spoke about the dispute.
He linked up with a group campaigning against Total in Burma and handed over a cheque for £500 on behalf of the UK trade union movement.
Mr Whitehurst said he expected the Lindsey workers to accept the deal and march back into work tomorrow morning.
Unions said they had achieved their objective of finding other jobs for the 51 workers as well as rescinding dismissal notices sent to 647 employees at the site who have been on strike.
The unions have also won a guarantee of no victimisation against workers across the country who took sympathy action.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
0Comments