Staff at Lindsey refinery restart work after strikes

STAFF at the Lindsey oil refinery went back to work yesterday morning, ending a bitter dispute between contract workers and the company.

Around 650 construction workers lost their jobs after going on unofficial strike at Lindsey, which is owned by French oil firm Total.

They took the industrial action after learning 51 employees were being laid off, while other contractors on the site were hiring staff.

Wildcat strikes broke out at refineries all around the country earlier this year, as staff came out in sympathy.

Unions said they had achieved their objective of finding other jobs for the 51 workers as well as rescinding dismissal notices sent to over 600 striking workers on the site.

A spokesman for Total said: “Total is pleased that the workers have voted to return to work. We look forward to the project getting back on track and completed as soon as possible with no further disruption.”