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Unite claims Grangemouth port strike could hit fuel supplies Unite claims Grangemouth port strike could hit fuel supplies
(about 1 hour later)
Fuel supplies to forecourts in Scotland and the north of England could be hit by a strike by dockers at the Port of Grangemouth, the Unite union has claimed.Fuel supplies to forecourts in Scotland and the north of England could be hit by a strike by dockers at the Port of Grangemouth, the Unite union has claimed.
More than 70 port workers began a two-week strike on Tuesday after voting for action in a row over shift patterns. Nearly 80 port workers began a two-week strike on Tuesday after voting for action in a row over shift patterns.
Unite claimed tanker drivers were refusing to cross picket lines.Unite claimed tanker drivers were refusing to cross picket lines.
Port owners Forth Ports said only container quayside operations had been affected by the action. Port owners Forth Ports said only its container quayside operations had been affected by the action.
Ineos, which operates Grangemouth oil refinery next to the port, said its road terminal was "open for business" and that fuel could be collected and exported. The Unite picket lines are close to a road used by tankers to access the neighbouring Petroineos-owned Grangemouth oil refinery.
Petroineos, which is not part of the dispute between Forth Ports and Unite, said its road terminal was "open for business" and that fuel could be collected and exported.
'Not justified''Not justified'
The strike action by crane drivers and loaders is due to run until 00:01 on 29 March, after which a complete ban on overtime is due to start.The strike action by crane drivers and loaders is due to run until 00:01 on 29 March, after which a complete ban on overtime is due to start.
The union claims new rotas being introduced by Forth Ports amount to a "de facto pay cut".The union claims new rotas being introduced by Forth Ports amount to a "de facto pay cut".
It also claims that the company has refused to hold talks over the dispute.It also claims that the company has refused to hold talks over the dispute.
Unite regional officer Sandy Smart said: "It now looks increasingly likely the company's refusal to negotiate will affect fuel supplies to forecourts across Scotland and the north of England as this strike escalates.Unite regional officer Sandy Smart said: "It now looks increasingly likely the company's refusal to negotiate will affect fuel supplies to forecourts across Scotland and the north of England as this strike escalates.
"Again we are ready and willing to meet with the company, through the conciliation services if necessary, to resolve this dispute through negotiation."Again we are ready and willing to meet with the company, through the conciliation services if necessary, to resolve this dispute through negotiation.
"However, that requires a clear signal from Forth Port's management that they are prepared to end their imposition and return to a process of proper employment relations.""However, that requires a clear signal from Forth Port's management that they are prepared to end their imposition and return to a process of proper employment relations."
Grangemouth oil refinery owner Ineos said the dispute had not affected its operations. 'Cease action'
A spokesman for the Port of Grangemouth said: "Forth Ports has been working closely with Police Scotland, Petroineos and other agencies since the start of the industrial action at the Port of Grangemouth to minimise disruption to traffic and cargo movement during this unjustified strike by Unite.
"We are very disappointed that Unite has chosen to picket the premises of Petroineos who have no part in this dispute and we call on Unite to cease this action immediately.
"We also call on Unite to end this strike, get our colleagues back to work, honour the contracts agreed in 2011 and reopen discussions on these necessary proposals."
He added: "Meanwhile, with the exception of container quayside operations, the Port of Grangemouth remains open for business and continues to operate."
Petroineos, which is a joint venture between Ineos and PetroChina, said the dispute had not affected its operations.
A spokesman said: "Our road terminal is open for business. Fuel can be uplifted and exported. This is a dispute between Forth Ports and their dockers."A spokesman said: "Our road terminal is open for business. Fuel can be uplifted and exported. This is a dispute between Forth Ports and their dockers."
On Thursday, a spokesman for the Port of Grangemouth said Unite's decision to call a strike "cannot be justified".
'Open for business'
He said: "We have been discussing with the union proposed changes to shift patterns at the Port of Grangemouth since May 2015.
"During that time their implementation has been delayed twice to allow Unite to put forward a workable alternative, which they have failed to do.
"Vessels now call at the port seven days a week and increasingly at weekends. Like any modern business, we need the flexibility to respond to our customers' needs."
He added: "Our staff and their union accepted the potential need for flexible shift patterns when this element of their employment contracts was agreed in 2011.
"We call on Unite to end this strike, get our people back to work, honour the contracts agreed in 2011 and reopen discussions on these necessary proposals.
"Meanwhile, with the exception of container quayside operations, the remainder of the Port of Grangemouth remains open for business and continues to operate."
The Port of Grangemouth handles more than 150,000 containers annually, with daily sailings to Rotterdam, Antwerp, Felixstowe and Hamburg.The Port of Grangemouth handles more than 150,000 containers annually, with daily sailings to Rotterdam, Antwerp, Felixstowe and Hamburg.