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Strike at oil refinery under way Strike at oil refinery under way
(40 minutes later)
The two-day strike at Grangemouth oil refinery has started, with 1,200 staff walking out in a pensions row. The two-day strike at Grangemouth oil refinery has started, with 1,200 staff walking out in a row over pensions.
Production has already ceased at the plant - Scotland's only oil refinery - ahead of the strike. BP has also shut its key Forties oil pipeline. Production earlier ceased at the plant, Scotland's only oil refinery, and BP has shut its key Forties oil pipeline.
There has already been disruption at some petrol stations, but ministers say there is enough fuel to go round. Extra supplies are being shipped from Europe. The government insisted there was enough fuel to go round and extra supplies were being shipped in.
Industry body Oil and Gas UK says the strike could cost the UK £50m a day. Refinery operator Ineos said the strike was a sad day for Grangemouth. Industry body Oil and Gas UK said the 48-hour walkout could cost the UK £50m a day.
Flags and banners Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond also urged both sides to hold talks and reach an "honourable settlement", after discussions at conciliation service Acas broke up without agreement.
Talks at conciliation service Acas have previously broken up without agreement. Ineos general manager, Gordon Grant, told BBC Radio Scotland: "It's a sad day for Grangemouth.
I think if anybody is being unreasonable in this sense, then it is the trade unions Gordon GrantIneos general manager
"We've bent over backwards to try and avoid this strike but, unfortunately, the trade unions have decided to go ahead with it - premature in our view - but that's what they've done."
Mr Grant said there was ample time to resolve the dispute without strike action, adding: "The consultation period is not finished.
"I think if anybody is being unreasonable in this sense, then it is the trade unions."
But Pat Rafferty, from the union Unite, told the BBC that members were still willing to speak with management.But Pat Rafferty, from the union Unite, told the BBC that members were still willing to speak with management.
"We'll meet any time, any place to resolve this dispute, and hopefully the company will come to its senses," he said."We'll meet any time, any place to resolve this dispute, and hopefully the company will come to its senses," he said.
EXTRA FUEL SUPPLIES 5,700 tonnes of diesel and kerosene on the Antares from Teesport10,000 tonnes of diesel on the BIT Octania from Gothenburg12-14,000 tonnes of diesel on the Alsterstern from Amsterdam1,850 tonnes of motor spirit on the Audacity from Immingham14,000 tonnes of diesel on the Anefani from Rotterdam4,000 tonnes of diesel and kerosene on the Humber Fisher from Teesport14,000 tonnes of diesel on the Bro Developer from Rotterdam Timeline: Grangemouth disputeEXTRA FUEL SUPPLIES 5,700 tonnes of diesel and kerosene on the Antares from Teesport10,000 tonnes of diesel on the BIT Octania from Gothenburg12-14,000 tonnes of diesel on the Alsterstern from Amsterdam1,850 tonnes of motor spirit on the Audacity from Immingham14,000 tonnes of diesel on the Anefani from Rotterdam4,000 tonnes of diesel and kerosene on the Humber Fisher from Teesport14,000 tonnes of diesel on the Bro Developer from Rotterdam Timeline: Grangemouth dispute
At 0600BST around 100 workers formed a parade as they left the plant carrying flags and banners. At 0600BST about 100 workers formed a parade as they left the plant carrying flags and banners.
Some unpaid staff, however, will remain at Grangemouth to provide safety cover during the strike.Some unpaid staff, however, will remain at Grangemouth to provide safety cover during the strike.
The Forties Pipeline, which provides 30% of the UK's daily oil output from the North Sea and which is powered by the Grangemouth site, has also been shut by BP.The Forties Pipeline, which provides 30% of the UK's daily oil output from the North Sea and which is powered by the Grangemouth site, has also been shut by BP.
Oil and Gas UK said the closure of the pipeline would cost the UK economy £50m in lost production - and accused both sides of holding the country to ransom.Oil and Gas UK said the closure of the pipeline would cost the UK economy £50m in lost production - and accused both sides of holding the country to ransom.
But Ineos, which operates Grangemouth, said the union was to blame for the pipeline's closure.But Ineos, which operates Grangemouth, said the union was to blame for the pipeline's closure.
"Their position is very clear, that they will provide steam and other utilities to keep the plant safe, but not for production," said general manager Gordon Grant.
Strikers and their families were expected to hold a demonstration outside the refinery at 1100 BST.Strikers and their families were expected to hold a demonstration outside the refinery at 1100 BST.
The union said no pension talks were planned, but members were due to meet management over safety.The union said no pension talks were planned, but members were due to meet management over safety.
Seven tankersSeven tankers
Some garages across Scotland have reported running out of fuel, some have introduced rationing and others have increased prices.Some garages across Scotland have reported running out of fuel, some have introduced rationing and others have increased prices.
But on Saturday evening the Scottish Government announced that about 65,000 tonnes of fuel, mostly diesel - said to be about 10 days' worth - will arrive over the next few days on seven tankers from ports across Europe.But on Saturday evening the Scottish Government announced that about 65,000 tonnes of fuel, mostly diesel - said to be about 10 days' worth - will arrive over the next few days on seven tankers from ports across Europe.
By pulling together we can reduce and minimise the inconvenience and disruption Scotland faces Alex SalmondFirst Minister of Scotland Business Secretary John Hutton said there was enough petrol and diesel in Scotland "to last through this period and beyond" as long as motorists did not change their habits. By pulling together we can reduce and minimise the inconvenience and disruption Scotland faces Alex SalmondFirst Minister of Scotland
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said there would no doubt be some difficulties with fuel supplies "through the early part of the week before Grangemouth reopens". Business Secretary John Hutton said there was enough petrol and diesel in Scotland "to last through this period and beyond" as long as motorists did not change their habits.
Mr Salmond said there would no doubt be some difficulties with fuel supplies "through the early part of the week before Grangemouth reopens".
"However, the required fuel for Scotland is on the way," he said."However, the required fuel for Scotland is on the way," he said.
HAVE YOUR SAY People are panic buying fuel and there are shortages here already Kerrie, Peterhead Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY People are panic buying fuel and there are shortages here already Kerrie, Peterhead Send us your comments
Mr Salmond urged people to act responsibly - and asked public sector staff not to take unnecessary journeys and to use public transport.Mr Salmond urged people to act responsibly - and asked public sector staff not to take unnecessary journeys and to use public transport.
"By pulling together we can reduce and minimise the inconvenience and disruption Scotland faces," he said."By pulling together we can reduce and minimise the inconvenience and disruption Scotland faces," he said.
Douglas Robertson, chief executive of the Scottish Motor Trade Association, which represents petrol retailers in Scotland, said members of the public were unnecessarily stocking up on fuel and putting supplies at risk.Douglas Robertson, chief executive of the Scottish Motor Trade Association, which represents petrol retailers in Scotland, said members of the public were unnecessarily stocking up on fuel and putting supplies at risk.
"There's petrol stations, or filling stations rather, running out of fuel on a fairly regular basis throughout Scotland just now, and it's giving the public the impression that there is a fuel shortage," he said."There's petrol stations, or filling stations rather, running out of fuel on a fairly regular basis throughout Scotland just now, and it's giving the public the impression that there is a fuel shortage," he said.
"And really what we really need to emphasise is there is no shortage of fuel, it's just people that are buying too much, that are panic buying.""And really what we really need to emphasise is there is no shortage of fuel, it's just people that are buying too much, that are panic buying."
Ineos has said it will still take two or three weeks to get Grangemouth back up and running, once the strike is over.Ineos has said it will still take two or three weeks to get Grangemouth back up and running, once the strike is over.