The following was sent to those who supported the Lindsey Oil Refinery (LOR) strike, under the banner of Workers of the World Unite: http://www.afed.org.uk/pdfs/lindsey_support_reply_letter.pdf

To understand the context for the unoffical action in terms of the UK government’s minimum implementation of the EU Posting of Workers Directive this 2005 AMICUS, GMB AND TGWU document is also worth reading:
http://www.unitetheunion.com/PDF/Final_NECC_National_Agreements_Posted_Workers_Directive_October_2005.pdf

It shows that so-called ‘social dumping’ problems, created by multinationals and contractors to boost profits, have been predicted for some time. The Posting of Workers Directive 96/71/EC adopted by the European Parliament and Council of the European Union on 16th December 1996, which came into effect on 24th September 1999, was supposed to protect the rights of workers sent abroad to work in another European Union country.

The unofficial action in complete defiance of UK anti-union laws has resulted in an amazing victory, and the unions have clearly benefitted from it. This said, inspite of the strike committee’s words of unity, there is still a need to throw out the reactionary ‘British workers 1st’ slogans as seen on Bearfacts and aim for complete international solidarity.

See also: AF blog article Lindsey strikes again & article (written just before end of strike) in Resistance 114

Extract from http://www.afed.org.uk/pdfs/lindsey_support_reply_letter.pdf

FRATERNAL GREETINGS FROM LINDSEY STRIKE COMMITTEE

Lindsey Strike Committee / & all sacked construction workers send fraternal greetings to our brothers and sisters who sent messages of support during our two week strike against the multi-national company Total – every message of solidarity sent to LOR strikers was immediately posted onto the ‘Bearfacts’ construction worker website. Please accept LOR worker’s Victorious Fraternal Greetings and Sincere Thanks for your message of solidarity and support.

THE MESSAGES OF SOLIDARITY GAVE HEART FELT RESOLVE TO LOR STRIKERS & CONSTRUCTION WORKERS ON OTHER UK SITES WHO VOTED WITH THEIR FEET TO SUPPORT LOR STRIKERS AND DEFEND THE NAECI AGREEMENT THAT OUTLINES OUR PAY, TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

ALL SACKED WORKERS AT LOR ARE TO BE REINSTATED – ALL REDUNDANCIES HAVE BEEN RESCINDED – ALL FUTURE GENUINE REDUNDANCIES WILL GO THROUGH PROPER TRADE UNION & INDIVIDUAL CONSULTATION – BROTHERS AND SISTERS!! UNOFFICIAL STRIKE ACTION AND ‘TOTAL SOLIDARITY’ OF WORKERS NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY HAS BANISHED VICTIMISATION, CREATED JOBS – STOPPED REDUNDANCIES IN THEIR TRACKS ON THE LOR SITE!!

ALREADY NEWS REPORTS ARE STATING THAT THE BOSSES ARE WORRIED ABOUT HOW THIS UNOFFICIAL STRIKE ACTION WILL EFFECT THE ACTIONS OF OTHER WORKERS IN THE FUTURE!!

Spread the news – THE WORKERS UNITED WILL NEVER BE DEFEATED!!