Workers based at the Grangemouth oil refinery have slated the
Scottish and UK governments over their failure to jointly develop
proposals which could help protect hundreds of jobs at the
complex.
Unite has released details of a survey involving hundreds of
refinery workers, including contractors, in advance of an
expected Scottish government ministerial statement on the
Grangemouth Refinery tomorrow (Thursday 22 February).
The survey strongly indicates that the workforce believe there
has been a collective failure to support them following the
announcement by Petroineos in November last
year to begin transitioning its Grangemouth
refining operations.
Under the company’s initial proposals, this transition
could be complete as early as 2025 at which point the site would
thereafter primarily operate as an import
terminal facility only.
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.
The survey found:
-
93 per cent agreed that the potential
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 the Grangemouth site;
- Only 3 per cent expressed
confidence in the ongoing “just transition” plans for oil and gas
workers.
Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary,
said: “Grangemouth workers are angry over the failure by
the Scottish and UK governments to bring forward any proposals to
support their livelihoods.
“Make no mistake that Unite will hold every politician to
account for their inaction. We will leave no stone unturned in
the fight for jobs at Grangemouth.”
Unite continues to engage with Petroineos to explore proposals
which could extend the lifespan of the oil refinery’s operations,
and to develop alternative energy sources at the complex.
The union has repeatedly taken aim at government over the failure
to establish a worker-led just transition process, and the ‘empty
promises’ issued by politicians to support industry developments
including hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, and
biofuels.
Around 220,000 jobs remain dependent on the oil and gas industry
across the UK, with 93,600 estimated to be based in
Scotland.
Derek Thomson, Unite Scottish secretary, said: “Politicians at
Holyrood and Westminster are hiding behind constitutional
smokescreens when they should be working together to bring
forward proposals which can support the Grangemouth workforce.
“There has been an alarming abdication of any political
responsibility over Grangemouth which is staggering as the
complex is of enormous strategic importance to the Scottish
economy.
“Unite’s survey shows that the vast majority of the workforce
fear for their futures and that the just transition process for
them is one full of empty promises. We have asked for every
option to be put on the table in order to secure hundreds of
highly skilled jobs but the glaring problem remains that
government ministers haven’t even put down one.”
