Total resolves Lindsey refinery dispute

Uchenna Izundu
OGJ International Editor

LONDON, June 26 -- Total SA has settled a dispute with hundreds of contract workers that were fired from constructing a hydrodesulfurization unit (HDS) at its 200,000 b/d Lindsey refinery in the UK.

The employees will vote on the measures to be reinstated to work on June 29, unions said. They were fired after embarking on unofficial strikes about 51 planned redundancies by the sub contractor while another employer on the site was hiring people.

Their actions triggered sympathy strikes at other construction and energy sites around the country.

The HDS unit is already 6 months behind schedule and €100 million over budget. It is meant to be ready before the end of the year, but this is the second strike this year that has derailed its progress. Total said it was pleased that "a positive conclusion" had been reached. "We expect this means that the contractors will be able to get back to work as soon as possible and get the project completed on time and with no further disruption or additional costs."

Contact Uchenna Izundu at [email protected].