Wildcat strikes end with reinstatement

26/06/2009

Wildcat strikes involving thousands of workers are expected to come to an end on Monday (June 28th) after union representatives struck a deal with Total, the owner of the Lindsey oil refinery.

Unofficial strike action began earlier this month after the French firm made 51 workers at the plant - where crude is refined into heating oil, petrol and other products - as it lowered output.

After reaching an impasse with union reps, Total sparked controversy by firing 647 workers involved in the strike action, a move which provoked sympathy strikes involving thousands of workers up and down the country.

Now, Unite is expected to bring the action to an end after striking a deal that will lead to the reinstatement of the 647 strikers, as well as the 51 workers originally let go.

"The proposals for a return to work will be recommended to the workforce by the union's shop stewards at Lindsey on Monday morning," said Les Bayliss, assistant general secretary of Unite.