Unite claims Grangemouth port strike could hit fuel supplies
Unite says strike by Grangemouth dockers suspended
(about 4 hours 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.
A strike by dockers at the Port of Grangemouth has been suspended following a breakthrough in a dispute over shift patterns.
Nearly 80 port workers began a two-week strike on Tuesday after voting for action in a row over shift patterns.
The union Unite said the action was suspended after port owners Forth Ports agreed to hold talks.
Unite claimed tanker drivers were refusing to cross picket lines.
Arrangements are being made with the conciliation service Acas, with talks expected to begin early next week.
Port owners Forth Ports said only its container quayside operations had been affected by the action.
Unite said picket lines would be lifted and about 80 port workers would make "a full return to work" by Monday.
The Unite picket lines are close to a road used by tankers to access the neighbouring Petroineos-owned Grangemouth oil refinery.
Crane drivers and loaders began a two-week strike on Tuesday, with Unite claiming that new rotas being introduced by Forth Ports amounted to a "de facto pay cut".
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.
On Friday, Unite claimed that fuel supplies to forecourts in Scotland and the north of England could be hit by the strike.
'Not justified'
Forth Ports said only its container quayside operations had been affected by the action.
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.
'First step'
The union claims new rotas being introduced by Forth Ports amount to a "de facto pay cut".
Announcing the suspension of the strike, Unite regional officer Sandy Smart said: "We are pleased that Forth Port's management have lifted their imposition on our members' shift rotas and agreed to enter into conciliation.
It also claims that the company has refused to hold talks over the dispute.
"Our strike action will now be suspended with immediate effect and picket lines will be lifted, enabling full operations at the port to get under way again.
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.
"This is an important first step on the path to resolving this dispute.
"Again we are ready and willing to meet with the company, through the conciliation services if necessary, to resolve this dispute through negotiation.
"If Forth Port's management approach the conciliation with the same spirit in which they accepted our offer then we will be able to negotiate a mutually agreeable outcome."
"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."
'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."
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.
