Headlines
Could the credit crunch signal the end to the EU?
4th February 2009
The economic downturn could reignite the debate of the UK’s membership within the European Union. Indeed, the downturn, depending on how severe it is, could cause the fragmentation of the EU altogether; such intolerant industrial action, seen this week across the UK, continues unabated.
In 1975, just two years after the UK became a fully-fledged member of the EEC, Britons went to the polls in the first ever nationwide referendum that would decide their future in Europe. Overwhelmingly, 67% of voters backed the UK’s membership in the EEC. What voters may have failed to understand then is that they consented to work alongside all those who were in the EEC then, and those countries that may join at a later date – something which many trade unions, and workers at the Lindsey Oil refinery, fail to understand.
The strikes at the Lindsey Oil refinery in North Lincolnshire started on January 28th over the recruitment of Italian workers to build a new de-sulphurisation unit at the site. Although the use of Italian workers, or in fact any EU citizens, is perfectly legal, the move by the site’s owners, Total, has sparked outrage amongst British workers across the UK, many of whom have called for, “British jobs for British workers.” The strike at the refinery, which has entered its second week, has caused wildcat industrial action from others in the industry. Derek Simpson, leader of Britain’s biggest trade union (Unite), dismissed claims that the strikes were xenophobic. Simpson said: "The unofficial action taking place across the UK is not about race or immigration, it's about class.” Little thought was given, however, to the hundreds of British nationals who are working on the continent with relatively little discrimination from other EU citizens.
The wider implications of strike action, seen at Lindsey and elsewhere in the UK, are yet to be made apparent. With a worsening economic climate, it does seem fair for politicians and union leaders to encourage British industry to employ British workers, but the dispute at Total’s site is likely to have been overexaggerated. We cannot be so irresponsible and petty as to jeopardise the employment opportunities of generations to come by a small dispute during times of hardship which has almost certainly been the victim of disproportionate media attention and nothing more.