South Hook LNG has confirmed today (Thursday) that a wildcat strike over foreign labour has ended.

Construction workers on the second phase at the Milford Haven liquified natural gas terminal walked out in protest over the use of foreign workers by contractor Hertel UK.

Workers first downed tools on Tuesday after 40, mostly Polish, workers were brought onto the site.

The action quickly spread, prompting sympathy walk outs at Dragon LNG and at the RWE npower site as well as further afield in Lincolnshire and Widnes.

Unions claimed that Hertel were in breach of an agreement that no European workers would come in until British labour was exhausted and that they should then be on the correct rate with correct conditions.

Hertel UK said the company had been unable to ‘source’ skilled people locally.

After negotiations yesterday (Wednesday) the company agreed to withdraw all 40 foreign employees from the site.

Hertel UK managing director, David Fitzsimons, said: “Following discussions today we have agreed to withdraw immediately all 40 non-UK workers and will be looking to directly employ suitably skilled UK workers.

“Though we were unable to find qualified, local employees to fill the roles when first recruiting for the project, we have now been told that a number of applicants are available. We hope to have the replacement workers employed on site this week.

“Our policy is always to recruit local and UK people where they are available and have the right skills and qualifications, although using the original, non-UK workforce employed by our sub-contractor did not contravene national agreements negotiated with the relevant trade bodies.

“We employ 3,500 people in the UK and as an Investors in People employer are committed to investing in our staff, including 150 current apprentices and trainees.”