Unite union bosses have criticized the planned closure of Grangemouth refinery, calling it 'industrial vandalism' and demanding government intervention. They accuse Prime Minister Keir Starmer and First Minister John Swinney of prioritizing 'net zero' over worker support.
Union leaders have insisted the Labour Government “must be forced to act” to save Scotland’s only oil refinery.
Ahead of the change – which will see Grangemouth operate as an import-only terminal – the Scottish and UK governments promised a joint £100 million support package. She hit out at the “missing politicians”, including Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and Scottish First Minister John Swinney in her attack. Mr Thomson said both the Scottish and UK Governments had “failed miserably to persuade Petroineos to extend the lifespan of the refinery”.
“Those Labour candidates who stand up for workers and back policies which protect jobs will get our backing in Scotland, of that those candidates can be assured,” he added. “We will be taking the fight to them on the cuts across our public services. They have taken the gloves off in terms of cutting services but it will be Unite who punches back to secure proper public services and to ensure staff are rewarded.”“The UK Labour Government and the Scottish Government have acted decisively to support the workforce at Grangemouth and have announced a £100m support package for Grangemouth.
“Work is also under way to establish GB Energy here in Scotland, which will help to protect Scotland’s industrial base, secure the well-paid jobs of the future, and deliver a just transition to net zero.A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: “The Energy Secretary has been clear that Petroineos’s recent confirmation of the closure of Grangemouth oil refinery is deeply disappointing and we stand with the Grangemouth workforce in these difficult times.
Grangemouth Refinery Unite Union Oil Industry Government Intervention Job Losses
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