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28/04/2008
Second Day Of Grangemouth Strike
Staff at Grangemouth are beginning the second day of a two-day strike.
It is believed that up to 1,200 staff took up the strike action in a row over pensions, which began at 6am on Sunday.
Grangemouth powers the BP-controlled Forties pipeline at Kinneil processing plant, which provides a third of the UK's daily oil output.
To cope with demand, extra fuel supplies are being shipped into Scotland from European destinations such as Rotterdam and Gothenburg.
Seven tankers due to arrive this week are said to be transporting nearly 65,000 tonnes of fuel.
The dispute centres round oil refinery INEOS and Unite union.
UK Business and Enterprise Secretary John Hutton told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme that he "hoped that the two sides will get back into discussions as quickly as possible".
Ineos General Manger, Gordon Grant said that the company had "bent over backwards" to avoid the strike but that the unions had "decided to go ahead with it".
Tom Crotty, CEO INEOS Olefins said in a statement on Friday: "We are deeply disappointed that today the Unite union has chosen to escalate this despute further. We call on Unite to change their plans that target other businesses and indeed the wider Scottish and UK economy. Their dispute is with INEOS, and it should stay with INEOS."
Unite National Officer, Phil McNulty said in a statement released today: "A lot of untruths have been peddled about the reasons for this strike. Our members have been accused of being greedy and irresponsible but this strike is not about getting more money from their employer or an attack on the ordinary people of Scotland.
"The Grangemouth workers are having to strike to defend their existing pension scheme which, despite the fact it is well-funded and in profit, their hugely rich employer, Ineos, wants to close it."
Unite and refinery operator INEOS have not yet agreed a date on which to resume talks.
The Scottish Government said that by 12 noon on Friday only five out of Scotland's 956 fillings stations had run out of fuel but issues a warning that problems could snowball this week as the stations waited to be refilled.
Grangemouth oil workers have taken out a series of adverts in the Scottish media today in a bid to explain their position and drum up support.
Almost 60 MPs have signed up to an Early Days Motion (EDM) laid by Grangmouth MP, Michael Connarty, adding their support for workers.
Further reading: Grangemouth Dispute May Cost The Economy £50m A Day
(DS/JM)
It is believed that up to 1,200 staff took up the strike action in a row over pensions, which began at 6am on Sunday.
Grangemouth powers the BP-controlled Forties pipeline at Kinneil processing plant, which provides a third of the UK's daily oil output.
To cope with demand, extra fuel supplies are being shipped into Scotland from European destinations such as Rotterdam and Gothenburg.
Seven tankers due to arrive this week are said to be transporting nearly 65,000 tonnes of fuel.
The dispute centres round oil refinery INEOS and Unite union.
UK Business and Enterprise Secretary John Hutton told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme that he "hoped that the two sides will get back into discussions as quickly as possible".
Ineos General Manger, Gordon Grant said that the company had "bent over backwards" to avoid the strike but that the unions had "decided to go ahead with it".
Tom Crotty, CEO INEOS Olefins said in a statement on Friday: "We are deeply disappointed that today the Unite union has chosen to escalate this despute further. We call on Unite to change their plans that target other businesses and indeed the wider Scottish and UK economy. Their dispute is with INEOS, and it should stay with INEOS."
Unite National Officer, Phil McNulty said in a statement released today: "A lot of untruths have been peddled about the reasons for this strike. Our members have been accused of being greedy and irresponsible but this strike is not about getting more money from their employer or an attack on the ordinary people of Scotland.
"The Grangemouth workers are having to strike to defend their existing pension scheme which, despite the fact it is well-funded and in profit, their hugely rich employer, Ineos, wants to close it."
Unite and refinery operator INEOS have not yet agreed a date on which to resume talks.
The Scottish Government said that by 12 noon on Friday only five out of Scotland's 956 fillings stations had run out of fuel but issues a warning that problems could snowball this week as the stations waited to be refilled.
Grangemouth oil workers have taken out a series of adverts in the Scottish media today in a bid to explain their position and drum up support.
Almost 60 MPs have signed up to an Early Days Motion (EDM) laid by Grangmouth MP, Michael Connarty, adding their support for workers.
Further reading: Grangemouth Dispute May Cost The Economy £50m A Day
(DS/JM)
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25 April 2008
Shutdown Of Grangemouth Oil Refinery Complete
The shutdown of Grangemouth oil refinery has been completed in preparation for a two-day strike by staff over pensions. The Ineos plant which is Scotland's main fuel supplier, processing 210,000 barrels of oil a day has never been completely shut down.
Shutdown Of Grangemouth Oil Refinery Complete
The shutdown of Grangemouth oil refinery has been completed in preparation for a two-day strike by staff over pensions. The Ineos plant which is Scotland's main fuel supplier, processing 210,000 barrels of oil a day has never been completely shut down.
23 October 2013
Ineos Announce Grangemouth Closure
The management of Grangemouth petrochemical plant have announced that it will close. Ineos, who run the plant, added that no decision on restarting operations would be taken until the "threat of strike action" was removed. Some 800 people are employed directly at the plant, with many more employed as sub-contractors.
Ineos Announce Grangemouth Closure
The management of Grangemouth petrochemical plant have announced that it will close. Ineos, who run the plant, added that no decision on restarting operations would be taken until the "threat of strike action" was removed. Some 800 people are employed directly at the plant, with many more employed as sub-contractors.
30 April 2008
Way Paved For Resolution To Grangemouth Despute
Grangemouth oil refinery bosses and Unite Union officials believe they have reached a proposal in the dispute over pensions that would be considered "in the coming days".
Way Paved For Resolution To Grangemouth Despute
Grangemouth oil refinery bosses and Unite Union officials believe they have reached a proposal in the dispute over pensions that would be considered "in the coming days".
25 October 2013
Grangemouth To Re-Open
An agreement between workers and management will see the Grangemouth petrochemical plant remain open. A mass meeting was held at 11:00 today to inform staff that a decision to close the Falkirk plant had been reversed. It follows an earlier announcement by management company Ineos on Wednesday that the plant was to close with the lose of 800 jobs.
Grangemouth To Re-Open
An agreement between workers and management will see the Grangemouth petrochemical plant remain open. A mass meeting was held at 11:00 today to inform staff that a decision to close the Falkirk plant had been reversed. It follows an earlier announcement by management company Ineos on Wednesday that the plant was to close with the lose of 800 jobs.
24 October 2013
Unite 'Optimistic' For Future Of Grangemouth
Following the announcement on Wednesday of the closure of the Grangemouth petrochemical plant, the Unite union has said that it will "embrace" the survival plan proposed by management company Ineos. The union said that talks with Ineos had left them optimistic for the future of the plant.
Unite 'Optimistic' For Future Of Grangemouth
Following the announcement on Wednesday of the closure of the Grangemouth petrochemical plant, the Unite union has said that it will "embrace" the survival plan proposed by management company Ineos. The union said that talks with Ineos had left them optimistic for the future of the plant.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
