Dispute-hit biofuels firm seeks secret ballot

Vivergo has written to Unite and the GMB asking for the vote after its pay offer of around £3,500 was rejected following 10 days of talks.

Contractors have repeatedly blockaded the plant since the beginning of March, after the company they were working for, Redhall Engineering, had its contract terminated.

In the letter Vivergo said it was “increasingly evident that we have reached an impasse in finding a mutually acceptable solution” and they believe a secret ballot “represents the fairest and most democratic way to take the situation forward.”

Vivergo’s offer, good until May 1, is in excess and on top of the £1.2m paid by Redhall to 370 workers, around £3,250 per employee.

A spokeswoman said they were at a loss to understand what more could be done to solve the deadlock.

The work Redhall was doing should have been completed over two months ago.

Les Dobbs from the GMB said the pay offer had been unanimously rejected by 200 members earlier this week. He warned of more demonstrations at BP sites and British Sugar at Newark, who are partners with Du Pont in the joint venture in protest at what they believe is a breach of employment rights.

Mr Dobbs said: “Our members made it clear to us they are not interested in money. They want their jobs back.”