BACK THE AXED; Hundreds walk out as 700 oil plant jobs cut.

Byline: PATRICK MULCHRONE

WILDCAT strikes spread across Britain's oil and power plants yesterday in support of workers sacked at a giant refinery.

Activists said electricity supplies could be hit and one warned: "The entire industry will shut down."

The walkouts began after nearly 700 workers were sacked at the Lindsey oil refinery near Grimsby, Lincs, after they downed tools over the firing of dozens of workers.

More than 1,000 struck in support on Teesside and 450 at Ellesmere Port with more walkouts in Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Wales and Yorkshire.

The Lindsey dispute flared when a contractor at a new pounds 200million unit laid off 51 workers while another employer was hiring staff.

French petro giant Total say they can all have their jobs back if they re-apply by 5pm Monday.

But attitudes among the sacked 647 were hardening yesterday. One said: "Total will soon realise they have unleashed a monster. If they get away with this it will be a turkey cull. Workers will be decimated and unskilled employees from abroad brought in on the cheap."

Around 1,200 workers have been taking unofficial action all week as efforts to convene talks floundered.

Total UK chief Bob Emmerson said the company would not respond until there was a return to work. Downing Street urged sacked staff to reapply for their jobs.

Yesterday 100 strikers gathered at the plant waving placards.

Conciliation service ACAS was working to broker a deal last night.

Voice of the Mirror: Page 8

TROUBLE STRIKES

More than 1,000 walk out at Wilton, Teesside

450 contractors strike at Stanlow oil refinery, Ellesmere Port

100 scaffolders down tools at Staythorpe and Ratcliffe, Notts

Workers walk out at Drax and Eggborough in Yorkshire

Walkout out at BP refinery, Hull

Contractors out at Aberthaw power station, South Wales

CAPTION(S):

WORKERS' FURY Demo at Lindsey yesterday JOBS OFFER Total fired strikers