'Upset at way workers were brought in'

By [aedgeworth] andy edgeworth andrew.edgeworth@gsmg.co.uk

UNION bosses are calling for more transparency from foreign firms in the wake of the protests at the Total Lindsey Oil Refinery.

At a meeting at Blundell Park yesterday, Unite bosses praised Acas for its report into the strikes at the refinery – but called for an official review of the current guidelines on the EU Posting of Workers Directive.

The directive governs regulations concerning EU workers employed in other EU states – such as the workers from Italian firm IREM. It makes sure basic worker rights and practices are adhered to.

As reported, North Killingholme became the centre of national and international media attention last month as hundreds of contractors at Lindsey Oil Refinery downed tools in an illegal walkout – angry that a contract on the site had been awarded to IREM over British companies.

Protests and talks were held over several days to resolve the bitter row, escalating when, in a show of solidarity, contractors around the UK also downed tools.

The row lasted until February 5, when protesters voted at a meeting to accept Total's proposals to create more than 100 new jobs.

Yesterday, representatives from Unite, the GMB, IREM, Jacobs (main contractor) and the Engineering Construction Industry Association (ECIA) discussed the report published by Acas for more than three hours.

Speaking of the LOR/IREM issue, Unite spokesman Bernard MaCauley said: "We are not interested in the tendering process as that was all fine, but we are upset at the way the workers were brought in.

"We were told by IREM that they were their own core workers, but we have evidence to show that they were agency workers hired by IREM.

"We know this is again legal, but what should happen is that this is all above board and clear to every party.

"For example, I believe they should be accountable to an independent financial assessment, so that payroll occurs in the country they are working in and this would mean British workers could compete on an even playing field with all other EU workers.

"Transparency breeds trust and confidence and this is why we are calling for a review of the post workers directive."

Cleethorpes and Immingham MP Shona McIsaac said: "The Acas report does confirm that unions were in negotiation with IREM at the end of last year and beginning of this year.

"This is a massive construction project. There were always going to be more jobs on the site that people could apply for.

"However, the disputes did reveal that there is tension and confusion around the directive and its application to construction work in the UK.

"Ministers and MEPs have said that they would examine the issues relating to the directive."