Left divided by Lindsey strike

Tuesday, 3 February 2009 12:01 AM

By Ian Dunt

Far left groups are finding themselves divided over the wildcat strike at Lindsey refinery, with some uncomfortable with the workers' emphasis on foreign workers and others viewing it as a basic trade union rights issue.

Strikers are angry at the use of foreign workers by subcontractor IREM, and they have now been joined by workers from across the country.

A spokesman from the Socialist Workers party (SWP), which opposes the strike, told politics.co.uk: "We wouldn't tell people to cross picket. But we oppose targeting Italian groups, because they're not responsible for job losses.

"Immigrants are not to blame for huge amount of jobs that are being shed at the moment."

The spokesman said EU court rulings on the use of foreign labour were at the heart of the matter.

A 2007 European Courts of Justice ruling on Laval and Viking allowed for workers from EU states to work in another state under the laws of their home country.

In practise that would allow a Latvian worker to work in the UK for Latvian wages and under Latvian health and safety regulations.

Unionists and many left-wing activists believe this ruling allows management to undercut domestic wages.

"European unions have had massive protests on this but British trade unions missed it," the SWP spokesman said.

"The government could have exempted Britain- they're very keen on exemptions - but they're at the cutting edge of neo-liberal reform.

"Regardless of where people come from they should have the same rights and the same wages. We need a more positive attitude towards all this."

But a spokesman for the Socialist party, which has members on the strike committee said the EU issue alone made the strike worth supporting.

"This isn't a racist strike," he told politics.co.uk. "This is a basic strike for trade union rights.

"The 'British jobs' slogan is just one in the eye for Gordon Brown. The meeting this morning accepted a demand which doesn't mention British jobs for British workers, but sticks to trade union issues."

Asked if the rhetoric of the strike action opened to door to accusations of racism, the spokesman said: "It's always dangerous. If you wait for a technically pure class struggle you'll be waiting forever.

"Bad elements come forward, like the BNP are trying to do. But the basic underlining position for construction workers is a class question, it's a trade union question.

"We have to explain this with skill, not just condemn the strikers as racists, which the SWP seem to be doing."

Yesterday business secretary Lord Mandelson made a statement in the Lords saying he did not believe there was any prejudice at the Lindsey refinery, but workers are expected to take little notice of that announcement today as they return to the picket line.

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• economy
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• employment
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• industrial relations