Unite, the UK's leading union, has warned that the
government announcement today, to invest in the skills and
retraining for workers facing redundancy at Grangemouth is
one of “smoke and mirrors”. And Grangemouth workers will not be
fooled by it.
Unite believes that both UK and Scottish governments should be
prioritising saving the jobs at risk. Unite has put forward a
plan that would transform Grangemouth into a biofuels facility
that ties into the government's own targets.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Grangemouth is
on this government's watch. The government should be focused on
preserving the current jobs rather than making a smoke and
mirrors announcement around training for jobs that don't exist.
“If the UK and Scottish governments cannot get their act together
to save 400 jobs at Grangemouth, workers in Scotland will have no
faith that government can secure a just transition for thousands
of other Scottish workers.
“Unite will not stand by and allow a jobless transition and the
creation of yet another working class wasteland. Not to save
Grangemouth is a dereliction of duty.
“The UK government is changing its fiscal rules, creating more
money for investment. That extra investment must be used in
Grangemouth. This is a strategic location vital to the success of
the Scottish economy.
“The government should stop dancing around its
handbag and commit to a public stake
to secure the long-term future for Grangemouth. Unite will
not stop working to ensure a viable future for the Grangemouth
workers.”
In September PetroIneos announced it intended to close its
refinery at Grangemouth between April – June 2025. It is
anticipated this would result in the lose of 500 directly
employed jobs with thousands more at risk in the supply chain.
Grangemouth is the only oil refinery in Scotland and provides
four per cent of the nations GDP and accounts for eight per cent
of its manufacturing base.
Unite Scottish secretary Derek Thomson said: “Our
Grangemouth members need to be hearing how both governments are
committed to preserving jobs. Providing re-training, when
well-paid skilled jobs don't exist is wrong.
“Grangemouth has a vital role to play in the development of
renewable energy and sustainable fuels. Those in government need
to have the courage to ensure this goal is achieved.”
