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'If we have a grievance, we have to air it.'

Construction workers from the Lindsey refinery on the sacking, the industry and their next move

Kevin Moylett, 47, a plater, lives in Scunthorpe. Married with two sons. Average weekly earnings, £500

"We had the best training industry in the world but where are the young ones now? I'm ­having to put right poorly-cut steel components, made in Romania. ­Management has made a nonsense of the redundancy and hiring system here. We're not militant. It's just that if we have a grievance, we air it and that's what they don't like."

Jim Bacon, 46, a semi-skilled fitter, lives in Grimsby and is married with no children. Average weekly earnings, £440

"The problem at Lindsey is the way it's been managed – taking men on one day and laying others off the next without any consultation, so that we could apply for the new jobs. We have a system but Total have just made a joke of it. A lot of it's a rustbucket in there too. I'm surprised health and safety doesn't close it down. No reapplying from me. Let's see what the talks bring."

Phil Rodgers, 50, a rigger, lives in Grimsby and is married with three grown-up children. Average weekly earnings, £380 "This all started because of cheap foreign labour. There are plenty of skilled local men but they can't get jobs because they are bringing the foreigners in. Their skills aren't as good but they cost less. Now this has ­happened, we're into a waiting game. I'm not reapplying for work unless we win the argument."

Mick Lamb, 52, a storeman, lives in Grimsby and is married with four daughters. Average weekly earnings, £380

"I'm disheartened more than anything about what's gone on. They made promises in February which ended that walkout and now they've reneged on them. It's the way they've mismanaged the whole thing that's brought this situation about. No, I won't reapply. We all stay together on this."

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