by René Lavanchy
THOUSANDS of workers are expected to take unofficial strike action today (May 22) as a new row over foreign labour triggered wildcat strikes across the country. Workers at the South Hook liquefied natural gas terminal at Milford Haven in South Wales walked out on Tuesday claiming that their employer had broken a local agreement by employing 50 Polish workers.
Trade union activists say flying pickets have now reached about a dozen power station sites nationwide and asked them to join the action. Meanwhile, secondary strikes have already broken out at the ConocoPhillips and Lindsey oil refineries – which last saw walkouts in February – where between 800 and 1,000 workers are said to be out protesting.
Keith Gibson, a GMB activist at Lindsay, said that Hertel UK, the subcontractor at South Hook, “tore up” a project agreement to employ local workers in the first instance. Workers at Lindsay have agreed to stay out on strike until at least Tuesday if necessary.
He added that companies wanted to pay foreign workers less than the agreed amount: “We’ve got an agreement in the construction industry that lays out terms and conditions. Obviously the companies want to undercut because they see construction workers as being overpaid.”
Other strikes are taking place at Fiddler’s Ferry in Warrington, Cheshire and Aberthaw in the Vale of Glamorgan.
A Hertel spokesperson said they had looked to employ local labour, but had been unable to find enough skilled workers for the three-month project.
