Deal between Total and unions will see unofficial strikers reinstated at the Lindsey oil refinery

Oil company Total has reached a deal to end the bitter dispute over jobs at the Lindsey refinery, according to unions representing the workers.

Unions said the deal would see the 647 contractors sacked last Friday for taking unofficial strike action re-instated.

According to reports the redundancy of 51 staff which prompted the original walk-out will also be reversed.

The dispute had been followed this week by wildcat strikes by M&E contractors at power station sites across the country, including Drax power station in Yorkshire and Sellafield in Cumbria.

Les Bayliss, of the Unite union, told the BBC that following hours of detailed negotiations “we now have proposals for a return to work which will be recommended by the stewards to the workforce.” He added: “The employers have agreed to reinstate the sacked workers but the details have to be put to the workforce first.”

A spokesman for Total told the Guardian: "Total is pleased that the contract companies and the unions were able to reach a positive conclusion at the talks tonight. We expect this means that the contractors will be able to get back to work as soon as possible and get the project completed on time with no further disruption and additional costs."

The dispute is thought to have cost the oil company £100m and put the project back by six months.

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