Wildcat strikes continue at Lindsey refinery

17/06/2009

The unplanned strikes at Lindsey oil refinery in North Lincolnshire continued yesterday (June 16th), although talks to end the action were resumed.

Conciliator Acas was due to attend a meeting between employers and representatives of workers at the plant to put an end to the strike, which began last week after a number of job cuts were announced.

Workers at the Lindsey oil refinery, which produces distillates such as heating oil, petrol, DERV and other products for Total, were involved in strike action in January this year as tensions boiled over contracts being awarded to foreign workers.

Now, more than 1,200 workers have downed tools in an unofficial strike - known as a wildcat strike - and Total has announced that it will not establish a dialogue with disgruntled employees until they return to work.

Meanwhile, the Financial Times cites a report from Income Data Services showing that there have been fewer strike actions during the current recession than has been witnessed during previous economic slumps.

The independent pay analysis group claims that improved conciliation services and greater collaboration have been instrumental in reducing the number of hostile actions seen in recent months.