Trade union responds to FM social media comments
stating he will not ‘allow damage' to be inflicted on the
Scottish economy
Unite has today (Wednesday 12 June) called on the first minister,
, to “show us the
plan” over the future of the Petroineos oil
refinery based in Grangemouth.
The first minister in social media comments said that he
“cannot allow things to happen that are going to be
damaging to Scotland” (see notes to
editor). MSP further remarked that the
Grangemouth complex is “absolutely
fundamental” to the Scottish economy, and that
he would work with Unite and Petroineos to “secure a
future”.
Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary said: “If they cannot
allow damage to Scotland, why on earth has it taken the Scottish
government eight months to even talk about a plan to secure the
future of the Grangemouth oil refinery and the jobs of people who
work there?
"Grangemouth is ‘absolutely fundamental' to the Scottish economy.
Unite's message to politicians since November has been to work
with us to develop a plan which can protect jobs, but we still
have not seen one.
"The Scottish government has failed to act and make no
mistake, Unite will always hold politicians to account for their
failures to protect workers.
Unite represents the 500
Petroineos oil refinery workers, and thousands more in the wider
supply chain. Unite has repeatedly criticised the Scottish and UK
governments for their failure to support the Petroineos workers,
and to bring forward proposals which can safeguard the future of
the oil refinery and the wider Grangemouth complex.
Petroineos revealed in November 2023 that it plans to begin
transitioning its refining operations in 2025. Under the
proposals, the Grangemouth complex would then transition to
primarily operate as an import and export oil terminal facility.
In February, Unite
released details of a survey involving hundreds of refinery
workers, including contractors, which revealed the workforce
believe there has been a collective failure to support them
following the announcement by Petroineos to begin
transitioning its Grangemouth refining operations.
The survey found:
-
93 per cent agreed that the impact of any
potential closure on the local Grangemouth economy and that of
surrounding communities would be “severe”.
-
88 per cent responded saying that
politicians were not doing enough to support and protect jobs
at Grangemouth.
- Only 11 per cent expressed ‘confidence'
in finding a “like for like” job in the event of
refinery operations ceasing at Grangemouth.
- Only 3 per cent expressed confidence in the
ongoing “just transition” plans for oil and gas workers.
Derek Thomson, Unite Scottish secretary added: “The
governments at Holyrood and Westminster have been posted missing
when it comes to supporting the Grangemouth oil refinery workers.
“The lack of political support has been baffling given that the
refinery and the wider Grangemouth complex is of enormous
strategic importance to the Scottish economy and energy
security.
“All major political parties in the Scottish Parliament have now
supported an extension of the oil refinery's operations and agree
that any just transition must be properly managed and involve the
workforce.
“Yet not one concrete proposal has been brought forward by
anyone. It is a national scandal. Ultimately, it will be a
major self-inflicted wound to the Scottish economy unless urgent
action is taken.”
Petroineos in latest accounts recorded pre-tax profits of £107.5m
in 2022. According to estimates, the Grangemouth complex
contributes four per cent of Scottish GDP and makes up
approximately eight per cent of Scotland's manufacturing base.
