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Refinery shutdown moves forward Refinery shutdown moves forward
(10 minutes later)
The shutdown of the Grangemouth oil refinery is continuing despite negotiations to halt a two-day strike due to start on Sunday.The shutdown of the Grangemouth oil refinery is continuing despite negotiations to halt a two-day strike due to start on Sunday.
Operators Ineos began a scaled shutdown of the plant on Monday.Operators Ineos began a scaled shutdown of the plant on Monday.
The company is currently in last ditch talks with the Unite trade union over changes to its pension scheme.The company is currently in last ditch talks with the Unite trade union over changes to its pension scheme.
Falkirk Council warned residents in the area not to be alarmed by additional flaring from the plant over the next 48 hours, as it continued to shut down.Falkirk Council warned residents in the area not to be alarmed by additional flaring from the plant over the next 48 hours, as it continued to shut down.
The Central Scotland Strategic Co-ordinating Group (SCG), whose members include the local authority, Sepa and Central Scotland Police, said they were working with Ineos to ensure there was "minimum disruption" to the local community.The Central Scotland Strategic Co-ordinating Group (SCG), whose members include the local authority, Sepa and Central Scotland Police, said they were working with Ineos to ensure there was "minimum disruption" to the local community.
In a statement the group said: "Flaring often takes place on site as part of the routine shutdown programme to safely disperse some of the by-products found in the petro-chemical industry.In a statement the group said: "Flaring often takes place on site as part of the routine shutdown programme to safely disperse some of the by-products found in the petro-chemical industry.
"Members of the public should not be alarmed by virtue of this increased activity, which is administered under strict safety procedures." On Monday it seemed to be isolated to the south west of Scotland but now we are getting reports of red diesel shortages and price increases from the north and north east of the country as well NFU Scotland"Members of the public should not be alarmed by virtue of this increased activity, which is administered under strict safety procedures." On Monday it seemed to be isolated to the south west of Scotland but now we are getting reports of red diesel shortages and price increases from the north and north east of the country as well NFU Scotland
There are signs the dispute is putting growing pressure on commercial fuel consumers.There are signs the dispute is putting growing pressure on commercial fuel consumers.
Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne had feared some of its services would be affected as it moved to conserve fuel.Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne had feared some of its services would be affected as it moved to conserve fuel.
However, the company have now said it has secured fuel supplies and that services would be unaltered.However, the company have now said it has secured fuel supplies and that services would be unaltered.
Scotrail, which gets all of its fuel from Grangemouth, said it was monitoring the situation closely.Scotrail, which gets all of its fuel from Grangemouth, said it was monitoring the situation closely.
The National Farmers Union in Scotland also said its members were being hit by the dispute.The National Farmers Union in Scotland also said its members were being hit by the dispute.
A spokeswoman said: "This does seem to be a problem that's increasing as the days go by.A spokeswoman said: "This does seem to be a problem that's increasing as the days go by.
"On Monday it seemed to be isolated to the south west of Scotland but now we are getting reports of red diesel shortages and price increases from the north and north east of the country as well.""On Monday it seemed to be isolated to the south west of Scotland but now we are getting reports of red diesel shortages and price increases from the north and north east of the country as well."
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Round-up of fuel availability across ScotlandRound-up of fuel availability across Scotland
As the prospect of strike action grows nearer, contingency plans are being put in place across the country.As the prospect of strike action grows nearer, contingency plans are being put in place across the country.
Governments on both sides of the border have urged the two sides to continue negotiations in a bid to avert the strike.Governments on both sides of the border have urged the two sides to continue negotiations in a bid to avert the strike.
They have also warned the public against panic-buying fuel in fear of supplies running short.They have also warned the public against panic-buying fuel in fear of supplies running short.
The strike was voted for in response to plans by Ineos to end its final salary pension scheme for new workers and to make other changes.The strike was voted for in response to plans by Ineos to end its final salary pension scheme for new workers and to make other changes.
These included the introduction of contributions to the pension scheme from the workers.These included the introduction of contributions to the pension scheme from the workers.
Ineos said it had made a number of concessions to the union which it said represented a "significant improvement" on its initial proposals.Ineos said it had made a number of concessions to the union which it said represented a "significant improvement" on its initial proposals.
But officials at Unite said there was nothing new in the company's statement, adding that the union continued to press for the proposals to be withdrawn.But officials at Unite said there was nothing new in the company's statement, adding that the union continued to press for the proposals to be withdrawn.
Legal actionLegal action
After more than five hours of talks at Acas on Tuesday, union officials and Ineos managers resumed their negotiations on Wednesday.After more than five hours of talks at Acas on Tuesday, union officials and Ineos managers resumed their negotiations on Wednesday.
The bitter row which preceded the talks has resulted in Ineos taking legal action over comments made by union officials.The bitter row which preceded the talks has resulted in Ineos taking legal action over comments made by union officials.
The company said Unite had claimed that Ineos had stripped £40m from the Grangemouth pension fund.The company said Unite had claimed that Ineos had stripped £40m from the Grangemouth pension fund.
"This is an extremely serious allegation and is completely untrue," an Ineos statement said."This is an extremely serious allegation and is completely untrue," an Ineos statement said.
As the talks in London continued, the deputy general secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress, Dave Moxham, insisted that what Unite union members were calling for was realistic.As the talks in London continued, the deputy general secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress, Dave Moxham, insisted that what Unite union members were calling for was realistic.
He told BBC Scotland's news website: "Final salary pension schemes are not unrealistic - they are what every employer should aim to provide.He told BBC Scotland's news website: "Final salary pension schemes are not unrealistic - they are what every employer should aim to provide.
"Why is it unrealistic, in the view of some employers and right wing commentators, that workers should expect a comfortable retirement after a lifetime of hard work?"Why is it unrealistic, in the view of some employers and right wing commentators, that workers should expect a comfortable retirement after a lifetime of hard work?
"Furthermore, Ineos is an immensely profitable company.""Furthermore, Ineos is an immensely profitable company."