CONCERNS were growing last night that electricity supplies could be threatened if power workers join the walk-outs in protest at the sacking of hundreds of workers at an oil refinery.

Almost 650 contract workers at the Lindsey oil refinery, in north Lincolnshire, were sent letters saying they had until Monday afternoon to reapply for their jobs.

The sackings sparked a wave of sympathy strikes at power stations and other sites across the UK – including the Stanlow oil refinery, at Ellesmere Port – with some activists warning power workers could soon join the walk-outs, threatening electricity supplies.

Downing Street announced Acas had convened a meeting between unions and management at the oil refinery, owned by French energy giant Total. But the conciliation service later revealed it did not go ahead.

Acas said: “We were invited by Total management for potential talks between the parties. After discussions between Total management and their contractors, they decided not to go ahead with the talks.

“We remain in touch with the parties.”

Union sources said their officials waited for four hours before being told Total “no longer felt the need” for a meeting.

GMB leader Paul Kenny said it was an “outrage and a disgrace” the talks did not go ahead, adding: “GMB and others were asked by Total to attend talks early this morning and our people travelled from across the country for the meeting.

“Total has not even had the decency or courtesy to turn up at the meeting that they themselves arranged. Total is totally without integrity. Bullying and intimidation is not the way to bring about peace.”

A Downing Street spokesman criticised the unofficial action.