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Oil refinery talks as strike ends | |
(20 minutes later) | |
Talks are to take place between the Grangemouth oil refinery management and striking workers as staff return to the plant after a 48-hour walk-out. | |
The industrial action disrupted fuel supplies and halted much of the UK's North Sea oil production. | |
It is expected to be at least a week before the plant is fully operational again after 1,200 workers walked out. | It is expected to be at least a week before the plant is fully operational again after 1,200 workers walked out. |
However, the Unite union has confirmed it is to meet with the senior management of Ineos in London. | |
The union's joint general secretary Tony Woodley is expected to sit down with owner Jim Ratcliffe later on Tuesday. | |
Unite has warned the dispute over pension changes at the Ineos plant could lead to more industrial action. | |
Oil prices rise | Oil prices rise |
Business Secretary John Hutton was also due to visit the site to urge Ineos bosses and union officials to break the deadlock. | |
Pickets left the gates of the refinery after the strike ended at 0600 BST, with the first shift due to return to work at 0700 BST. | Pickets left the gates of the refinery after the strike ended at 0600 BST, with the first shift due to return to work at 0700 BST. |
On Monday evening, Prime Minister Gordon Brown held talks with Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond at the House of Commons. | On Monday evening, Prime Minister Gordon Brown held talks with Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond at the House of Commons. |
A Downing Street spokesman said they had discussed the steps being taken to resolve the industrial dispute. | A Downing Street spokesman said they had discussed the steps being taken to resolve the industrial dispute. |
The meeting came as oil prices hit a record high of almost $120 (£60) a barrel and Opec, the oil producing cartel, warned prices could keep rising to $200. | The meeting came as oil prices hit a record high of almost $120 (£60) a barrel and Opec, the oil producing cartel, warned prices could keep rising to $200. |
Praise is in order for the many people and organisations who have acted responsibly and worked to minimise disruption John HuttonBusiness Secretary | Praise is in order for the many people and organisations who have acted responsibly and worked to minimise disruption John HuttonBusiness Secretary |
Meanwhile, the UK's two largest oil companies, Shell and BP, have delivered their latest financial results amid record petrol prices at the pumps. | Meanwhile, the UK's two largest oil companies, Shell and BP, have delivered their latest financial results amid record petrol prices at the pumps. |
Shell reported first quarter profits of $7.7bn (£3.92bn) for the three months to 31 March, while BP posted $6.59bn (£3.32bn) first quarter figures, a rise 48% from $4.4bn. | Shell reported first quarter profits of $7.7bn (£3.92bn) for the three months to 31 March, while BP posted $6.59bn (£3.32bn) first quarter figures, a rise 48% from $4.4bn. |
The Grangemouth strike, which began on Sunday, halted almost half the UK's North Sea oil production when a key pipeline powered by the plant was closed. | The Grangemouth strike, which began on Sunday, halted almost half the UK's North Sea oil production when a key pipeline powered by the plant was closed. |
BBC Scotland correspondent Colin Blane said it would have cost the economy £50m a day. | BBC Scotland correspondent Colin Blane said it would have cost the economy £50m a day. |
He said the unions were considering whether to give notice of another possible strike as the deadlock over pensions had not been broken. | He said the unions were considering whether to give notice of another possible strike as the deadlock over pensions had not been broken. |
Mr Hutton, however, will try to avert any further action by calling on both sides to hold more meetings to try to resolve the dispute. | Mr Hutton, however, will try to avert any further action by calling on both sides to hold more meetings to try to resolve the dispute. |
He will also hold talks with representatives of the oil and gas industries as well as members of the Scottish government.Extra fuel supplies were delivered to petrol stations | He will also hold talks with representatives of the oil and gas industries as well as members of the Scottish government.Extra fuel supplies were delivered to petrol stations |
Speaking before his visit, Mr Hutton said: "This strike has caused disruption and inconvenience to the public and it has cost the economy dear. | Speaking before his visit, Mr Hutton said: "This strike has caused disruption and inconvenience to the public and it has cost the economy dear. |
"It is no accident that Scotland has managed to continue about its business. Praise is in order for the many people and organisations who have acted responsibly and worked to minimise disruption. | "It is no accident that Scotland has managed to continue about its business. Praise is in order for the many people and organisations who have acted responsibly and worked to minimise disruption. |
"Now is the time for Unite and Ineos to get back to the negotiating table This is what I will be saying at my meetings and Acas stands ready. This is where this dispute must end." | "Now is the time for Unite and Ineos to get back to the negotiating table This is what I will be saying at my meetings and Acas stands ready. This is where this dispute must end." |
Scottish Finance and Business Minister John Swinney also plans to visit the site later. | Scottish Finance and Business Minister John Swinney also plans to visit the site later. |
Some petrol stations in Scotland have introduced rationing or raised prices while others have run dry. | Some petrol stations in Scotland have introduced rationing or raised prices while others have run dry. |
The Scottish government is shipping about 65,000 tonnes of fuel, mostly diesel, from Europe to bolster supplies. | The Scottish government is shipping about 65,000 tonnes of fuel, mostly diesel, from Europe to bolster supplies. |
Striking workers allowed a shipload of fuel to be loaded on Monday night to sail to Aberdeen to avoid shortages in the north-east of the country. | Striking workers allowed a shipload of fuel to be loaded on Monday night to sail to Aberdeen to avoid shortages in the north-east of the country. |