The London Daily News

News Desk

British workers must be given priority over foreign labour is the demand from the GMB for its members who man power stations, oil refineries and gas terminals.  The GMB is demanding that British skilled workers are given jobs in strategically important energy related industries ahead of "foreign contract staff".

A national ballot is being threatened by the GMB of all its members if the government and employers do not give a satisfactory answer, reports the FT.

"I think thats the way we have to go.  Then we have control over it, its going to be done in a proper manner and its going to be done legally" - Phil Davies the national secretary of the GMB.

There have already been seven confirmed "wildcat strikes" in England and Wales this week the FT has reported after British workers objected to Polish workers being hired to do "lagging work at the South Hook liquefied natural gas terminal in Milford Haven west Wales".  The strike needed after the sub-contractor on the site Hertel UK removed the Polish workers and hired British staff.

There will be crunch meeting on June 3 with between the unions (Unite and GMB) and employers to try and negotiate a solution to avoid a national strike.