Power cuts 'threat' amid walkouts

Almost 650 workers at the Lindsey oil refinery in North Lincolnshire have until Monday afternoon to reapply for their jobs after being sacked - a move which sparked a wave of sympathy strikes at power stations and other sites across the UK.

Some activists warn that power workers could soon join the walkouts, threatening electricity supplies.

Downing Street announced Acas had convened a meeting between unions and management at the oil refinery, owned by French energy giant Total. But the conciliation service later revealed it did not go ahead.

Acas said: "We were invited by Total management for potential talks between the parties. After discussions between Total management and their contractors, they decided not to go ahead with the talks. We remain in touch with the parties."

Union sources said their officials waited for four hours before being told Total "no longer felt the need" to have a meeting.

GMB leader Paul Kenny said it was an "outrage and a disgrace" the talks did not go ahead, adding: "GMB and others were asked by Total to attend talks and our people travelled from across the country for the meeting.

"Total has not even had the decency or courtesy to turn up at the meeting that they themselves arranged. Total is totally without integrity. Bullying and intimidation is not the way to bring about peace."

Total said: "We have had contact with Acas and hope to be able to talk with them further next week once our contractor workforce has had the opportunity to decide if they wish to continue on this important project."

Wildcat strikes had already spread to several power stations and other terminals in the past few days as thousands of workers took sympathy action.