Workers 'euphoric' at dispute outcome

By [cawhite]

"EUPHORIC."

That was the reaction from sacked Lindsey Oil Refinery contract workers yesterday after a deal was struck to reinstate them.

As reported on www.this isgrimsby.co.uk, unions and refinery bosses came to an agreement late on Thursday night after holding talks to resolve the dispute.

Hundreds of workers employed on a project to build a desulphurisation unit at the refinery walked out in protest after 51 workers employed by Shaw Group were made redundant.

Now, an agreement has been reached to reinstate the 647 workers sacked by main contractor Jacobs for taking the unofficial strike action, as well as offering jobs to the 51 workers made redundant.

Union shop stewards will now put the proposals to workers at a mass meeting outside the refinery on Monday, recommending an immediate return to work.

Unite shop steward Kenny Ward, one of the 647 sacked workers, said: "I'm absolutely overjoyed and delighted.

"Our demands have been met, and I'm confident that the workers will accept our recommendation to go back to work.

"Because of the determination and resilience of the men and women of Lindsey and the amazing support we have received throughout the country, we were able to achieve a victory."

David Pritchard, a welder with Shaw Group on the HDS-3 project, said: "I'm glad that common sense has prevailed and I will be taking the stewards' recommendation to return to work.

"I'm looking forward to getting on with the job and getting it completed.

"I would like to congratulate both the employers and the trade unions in getting round the table and resolving this situation.

"However, I still feel we had no choice but to take the action that we took.

"We were standing up for our rights and against the injustice of the sackings."

John Wilson, senior organiser for the GMB union, said: "This could have been achieved last week or even the week before, but we've moved on from there and brokered a deal that everybody is happy with."

A spokeswoman for Total UK said: "We are pleased that the contract companies and the unions were able to reach a positive conclusion to their talks.

"We expect that the contractors will be able to get back to work as soon as possible and complete the project on time, with no further disruption or additional costs."

Details of Monday's meeting will appear on www.this isgrimsby.co.uk