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Pressure on industry in fuel row Pressure on industry in fuel row
(about 2 hours later)
The dispute by staff and managers at the Grangemouth oil refinery is leading to growing pressure on commercial fuel consumers, it has emerged.The dispute by staff and managers at the Grangemouth oil refinery is leading to growing pressure on commercial fuel consumers, it has emerged.
Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne said it may restrict services from Thursday to conserve fuel supplies, if the planned action goes ahead.Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne said it may restrict services from Thursday to conserve fuel supplies, if the planned action goes ahead.
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.
Negotiations to resolve the dispute are currently being held at Acas in London.Negotiations to resolve the dispute are currently being held at Acas in London.
Up to 1,200 Grangemouth workers, who belong to the Unite union, plan to strike on Sunday and Monday over plans to change their pension scheme.Up to 1,200 Grangemouth workers, who belong to the Unite union, plan to strike on Sunday and Monday over plans to change their pension scheme.
Ineos, which operates the refinery, has begun shutting down the plant, which processes 210,000 barrels of oil a day.Ineos, which operates the refinery, has begun shutting down the plant, which processes 210,000 barrels of oil a day.
Price increases Final salary pension schemes are not unrealistic - they are what every employer should aim to provide Dave MoxhamScottish Trades Union Congress class="" href="/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7363121.stm">'Workers left with no alternative'
CalMac said if no solution was reached by Wednesday evening, it would begin a programme of reductions to conserve fuel supplies.CalMac said if no solution was reached by Wednesday evening, it would begin a programme of reductions to conserve fuel supplies.
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Round-up of fuel availability across Scotland
But a spokesman for the ferry company said none of the islands would be left without a service.But a spokesman for the ferry company said none of the islands would be left without a service.
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.
"By way of example, one of our members who filled his on-farm fuel tank in October and is now needing to refill it, is being quoted prices that are 20% higher than they were back then.""By way of example, one of our members who filled his on-farm fuel tank in October and is now needing to refill it, is being quoted prices that are 20% higher than they were back then."
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Round-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.
'Pension fund'
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 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.
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?
"Furthermore, Ineos is an immensely profitable company."