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Energy protest grows in Scotland Energy protest grows in Scotland
(40 minutes later)
Over 1,500 workers in Scotland are on strike as part of an escalating UK-wide dispute over the use of foreign labour. More than 1,500 workers in Scotland are on strike as part of an escalating UK-wide dispute over using foreign labour.
An estimated 700 workers at the giant crude oil refinery at Grangemouth have walked out while contractors at three power stations have also downed tools. An estimated 700 workers at the crude oil refinery at Grangemouth have walked out, while contractors at three power stations have also downed tools.
The industrial action has so far spread to seven sites across Scotland. The unofficial action has so far spread to seven sites across Scotland.
The dispute began after bosses at the Lindsey oil refinery in England brought in Italian and Portuguese contractors to work at the plant.The dispute began after bosses at the Lindsey oil refinery in England brought in Italian and Portuguese contractors to work at the plant.
Union have said the jobs should have gone to British workers. Unions have said the jobs should have gone to British workers.
In addition to the workers at Grangemouth's Ineos plant, about 500 have also walked out at Scottish Power stations in Longannet in Fife and Cockenzie. First Minister Alex Salmond urged those taking part in the action to return to work once they had made their point.
The argument is not against foreign workers, it's against foreign companies discriminating against British labour Bobby BuirdsUnite He said: "Obviously workers are angry about what's been happening in a plant in England.
The argument is not against foreign workers, it's against foreign companies discriminating against British labour Bobby BuirdsUnite "I'm hoping that as soon as they have protested they will get back to work.
"At times like these, it is really important that nobody does anything that jeopardises any jobs whatsoever."
In addition to the workers striking at Grangemouth's Ineos plant, about 500 have also walked out at Scottish Power stations in Longannet in Fife and Cockenzie in East Lothian.
The company said the walkout did not affect operations at either of the sites and that it was meeting senior members of all contractors to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.The company said the walkout did not affect operations at either of the sites and that it was meeting senior members of all contractors to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.
Shell have said about 180 contractors at the St Fergus gas terminal at Peterhead have stopped work, while at British Energy's Torness facility about 80 workers have downed tools. Shell said about 180 contractors at the St Fergus gas terminal at Peterhead had stopped work, while at British Energy's Torness facility about 80 workers have downed tools.
About 100 have also stopped work at ExxonMobil's petrochemicals plant at Mossmorran in Fife along with colleagues at the Shell plant at Mossmorran. About 100 have also stopped work at ExxonMobil's petrochemicals plant at Mossmorran in Fife, along with colleagues at the Shell plant at Mossmorran.
Speaking from Grangemouth, Bobby Buirds of the Unite union, said: "The argument is not against foreign workers, it's against foreign companies discriminating against British labour. 'Fight for work'
"If the job of these mechanical contractors at Ineos finishes and they try and get jobs down south, the jobs are already occupied by foreign labour and their opportunities are decreasing. SITES AFFECTED IN SCOTLAND Ineos in GrangemouthScottish Power plant at LongannetScottish Power plant at CockenzieShell plant at St Fergus PeterheadExxonMobil plant at MossmorranBritish Energy Torness plantShell plant at Mossmorran Speaking from Grangemouth, Bobby Buirds of the Unite union said: "The argument is not against foreign workers, it's against foreign companies discriminating against British labour.
"If the job of these mechanical contractors at Ineos finishes and they try and get jobs down south, the jobs are already occupied by foreign labour and their opportunities are decreasing.
"This is a fight for work. It is a fight for the right to work in our own country. It is not a racist argument at all.""This is a fight for work. It is a fight for the right to work in our own country. It is not a racist argument at all."
'Pipeline system' SITES AFFECTED IN SCOTLAND Ineos in GrangemouthScottish Power plant at LongannetScottish Power plant at CockenzieShell plant at St Fergus PeterheadExxonMobil plant at MossmorranBritish Energy Torness plantShell plant at Mossmorran
A spokesman for INEOS, which runs the Grangemouth plant, said those involved in the walkout were NAECI (National Agreement for Engineering and Construction Industry) workers. A spokesman for Ineos, which runs the Grangemouth plant, said those involved in the walkout were NAECI (National Agreement for Engineering and Construction Industry) workers.
In a statement, he said: "The plants at Grangemouth continue to operate normally and contractor safety cover has been agreed.In a statement, he said: "The plants at Grangemouth continue to operate normally and contractor safety cover has been agreed.
"We are disappointed that the NAECI contactor population have chosen to walk out today especially as INEOS at Grangemouth has always worked with the trade unions to ensure that local and UK labour are utilised on site. "We are disappointed that the NAECI contactor population have chosen to walk out today, especially as Ineos at Grangemouth has always worked with the trade unions to ensure that local and UK labour are utilised on site.
"And, on the few occasions when it has been necessary, we have always agreed up front with the workforce the use of foreign labour as a top up." "And, on the few occasions when it has been necessary, we have always agreed up front with the workforce the use of foreign labour as a top-up."
The Grangemouth walk-out included about 100 workers with contractors employed by BP. The Grangemouth walkout included about 100 workers with contractors employed by BP.
They work at the Kinneil terminal - part of the Grangemouth complex where North Sea oil from the Forties pipeline system comes ashore.They work at the Kinneil terminal - part of the Grangemouth complex where North Sea oil from the Forties pipeline system comes ashore.
A BP spokesman said: "The workers are not involved in day-to-day operations and the Forties pipeline system will continue to operate as normal."A BP spokesman said: "The workers are not involved in day-to-day operations and the Forties pipeline system will continue to operate as normal."