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Strike at oil refinery under way Oil refinery strikers hold rally
(30 minutes later)
The two-day strike at Grangemouth oil refinery has started, with 1,200 staff walking out in a row over pensions. Striking workers from the Grangemouth refinery are holding a rally outside the oil plant.
Production earlier ceased at the plant, Scotland's only oil refinery, and BP has shut its key Forties oil pipeline. About 1,200 staff began the two-day walkout on Sunday, following a row over pension scheme changes.
The government insisted there was enough fuel to go round and extra supplies were being shipped in. Production has ceased at the plant, Scotland's only oil refinery, and BP has shut its key Forties oil pipeline.
Refinery operator Ineos and union bosses agreed it was a "sad day" for Grangemouth, but criticised each other over several aspects of the dispute. The Scottish and UK Governments insisted there was enough fuel to go round and extra supplies were being shipped in from Europe.
Refinery operator Ineos and union bosses agreed it was a "sad day" for Grangemouth, but continued to criticise each other over several aspects of the dispute.
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond urged both sides to hold talks and reach an "honourable settlement", after discussions at conciliation service Acas broke up without agreement.Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond urged both sides to hold talks and reach an "honourable settlement", after discussions at conciliation service Acas broke up without agreement.
We bent over backwards to try and avoid this strike but, unfortunately, the trade unions have decided to go ahead with it Gordon GrantIneos general manager
Mr Salmond, who is set to meet Prime Minister Gordon Brown over the dispute, added: "Both sides say they're willing to talk but they haven't, as yet, gone back into negotiations with each other.
"Even so, I would say that some of the language has toned down a bit."
Industry body Oil and Gas UK said the 48-hour walkout could cost the UK £50m a day.Industry body Oil and Gas UK said the 48-hour walkout could cost the UK £50m a day.
Ineos general manager Gordon Grant told BBC Radio Scotland the company's current contribution to employees' pensions was "unsustainable", adding that Grangemouth needed £750m investment - or jobs would be jeopardised in a competitive sector.Ineos general manager Gordon Grant told BBC Radio Scotland the company's current contribution to employees' pensions was "unsustainable", adding that Grangemouth needed £750m investment - or jobs would be jeopardised in a competitive sector.
I think if anybody is being unreasonable in this sense, then it is the trade unions Gordon GrantIneos general manager He said: "We 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."
He said: "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 have resolved 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."Mr Grant said there was ample time to have resolved 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."
Pat Rafferty, from the union Unite, told the BBC that members were still willing to speak with management. 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 class="" href="/1/hi/scotland/7367002.stm">Timeline: Grangemouth dispute
Pat Rafferty, from the union Unite, told the BBC that members were still willing to speak with management and claimed the public had given the striking workers a lot of support.
And he dismissed claims from Ineos that Grangemouth may need three weeks to get up and running after the strike as "scaremongering" - insisting it could be done in about a week.And he dismissed claims from Ineos that Grangemouth may need three weeks to get up and running after the strike as "scaremongering" - insisting it could be done in about a week.
Mr Rafferty said: "We've been backed into a corner a bit by the stance the company's taking. It's something we've got no pleasure out of and that's been reflected in our members walking out."Mr Rafferty said: "We've been backed into a corner a bit by the stance the company's taking. It's something we've got no pleasure out of and that's been reflected in our members walking out."
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 dispute
At 0600 BST about 100 workers formed a parade as they left the plant carrying flags and banners.At 0600 BST about 100 workers formed a parade as they left the plant carrying flags and banners.
Some unpaid staff, however, have inside Grangemouth to provide safety cover during the strike. Some unpaid staff, however, have stayed inside 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.
Ineos, which operates Grangemouth, said the union was to blame for the pipeline's closure. Strikers and their families are currently holding a demonstration outside the refinery.
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 ScotlandBy 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.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".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."