The shutdown of the Grangemouth oil refinery has started with the closure of a crude oil unit ahead of planned strike action over pensions.
The shutdown of the Grangemouth oil refinery has started with the closure of a crude oil unit ahead of planned strike action over pensions.
The first minister urged bosses and unions to reopen negotiations and also outlined the government's contingency plans for a total shut-down.
The first minister urged bosses and unions to reopen negotiations and also outlined the government's contingency plans for a total shut-down.
If no deal can be struck between operators Ineos and the Unite union, up to 1,200 workers will walk out.
If no deal can be struck between operators Ineos and the Unite union, up to 1,200 workers will walk out.
Ineos says the refinery will shut down totally on Friday prior to the strike.
Ineos says the refinery will shut down totally on Friday prior to the strike.
Production is expected to be hit from Monday as the first of the crude oil units is closed in a phased shutdown of the refinery, one of only nine in the UK.
Production is expected to be hit from Monday as the first of the crude oil units is closed in a phased shutdown of the refinery, one of only nine in the UK.
Alex Salmond has urged both sides to get back round the table and thrash out a deal prior to the planned action on 27 and 28 April.
Alex Salmond has urged both sides to get back round the table and thrash out a deal prior to the planned action on 27 and 28 April.
If the strike does go ahead, he said the government is taking measures to secure fuel supplies and has asked emergency services, local authorities and key agencies to get together and discuss needs at a local level over the next two days.
If the strike does go ahead, he said the government is taking measures to secure fuel supplies and has asked emergency services, local authorities and key agencies to get together and discuss needs at a local level over the next two days.
Drivers have been urged not to panic buy at the forecourts.
Drivers have been urged not to panic buy at the forecourts.
Grangemouth's operators Ineos had earlier accused the Unite union of refusing to attend peace talks at the conciliation service, Acas, in a bid to break the row.
Grangemouth's operators Ineos had earlier accused the Unite union of refusing to attend peace talks at the conciliation service, Acas, in a bid to break the row.
The union said there had been a "tentative" approach by Acas adding: "We have not refused but we have said there has to be something to discuss."
The union said there had been a "tentative" approach by Acas adding: "We have not refused but we have said there has to be something to discuss."
However, national officer Phil McNulty accused the company of "scaremongering" about possible petrol shortages in Scotland and the north of England in the next few days.
However, national officer Phil McNulty accused the company of "scaremongering" about possible petrol shortages in Scotland and the north of England in the next few days.
He said: "The company appears to be inundating the press with stories about imminent petrol shortages, but the fact is that the refinery is still in full production and there is no industrial action going on.
He said: "The company appears to be inundating the press with stories about imminent petrol shortages, but the fact is that the refinery is still in full production and there is no industrial action going on.
There's not really much point in having lots of cars with lots of fuel in their tanks going absolutely nowhere when we've got stations without fuel John SwinneyFinance Secretary
There's not really much point in having lots of cars with lots of fuel in their tanks going absolutely nowhere when we've got stations without fuel John SwinneyFinance Secretary
"Indeed, there is no need for any shortages if the company simply withdraws its outlandish attempt to grab money back from the pension fund."
"Indeed, there is no need for any shortages if the company simply withdraws its outlandish attempt to grab money back from the pension fund."
Ineos chief executive Tom Crotty said: "We have always made it clear that the company is ready to attend talks at Acas to help end the current dispute."
Ineos chief executive Tom Crotty said: "We have always made it clear that the company is ready to attend talks at Acas to help end the current dispute."
Mr Salmond said the Scottish Government had asked Scotland's eight Strategic Co-ordinating Groups (SCGs) - which comprise the emergency services, local authorities and other key agencies - to consider the issues that may need to be addressed locally in the event of any disruption to fuel supplies.
Mr Salmond said the Scottish Government had asked Scotland's eight Strategic Co-ordinating Groups (SCGs) - which comprise the emergency services, local authorities and other key agencies - to consider the issues that may need to be addressed locally in the event of any disruption to fuel supplies.
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme, Finance Secretary John Swinney said it was essential that both the trade unions and management talked to each other to resolve the dispute.
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme, Finance Secretary John Swinney said it was essential that both the trade unions and management talked to each other to resolve the dispute.
Panic buy
Panic buy
He added: "There's plenty of evidence that both sides are able to talk, the only thing is they're not talking to each other and that's the way this dispute must be resolved, by these two parties coming together and resolving their differences."
He added: "There's plenty of evidence that both sides are able to talk, the only thing is they're not talking to each other and that's the way this dispute must be resolved, by these two parties coming together and resolving their differences."
The Government Sub Committee on Civil Contingencies has been meeting since Friday and local authorities and the emergency services are putting contingency plans into place in case of strike action.
The Government Sub Committee on Civil Contingencies has been meeting since Friday and local authorities and the emergency services are putting contingency plans into place in case of strike action.
Mr Swinney said there were significant reserves available but he urged people not to go out and panic buy.
Mr Swinney said there were significant reserves available but he urged people not to go out and panic buy.
"There's not really much point in having lots of cars with lots of fuel in their tanks going absolutely nowhere when we've got stations without fuel.
"There's not really much point in having lots of cars with lots of fuel in their tanks going absolutely nowhere when we've got stations without fuel.
"So, I'd ask people to be responsible.
"So, I'd ask people to be responsible.
"We're doing everything we can to encourage a resolution of this dispute and avoid any interruption to the continuity of supplies but the government will take all the steps that we can to make sure the Scottish economy is able to continue to function as effectively as it can," said Mr Swinney.
"We're doing everything we can to encourage a resolution of this dispute and avoid any interruption to the continuity of supplies but the government will take all the steps that we can to make sure the Scottish economy is able to continue to function as effectively as it can," said Mr Swinney.
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