This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-24671184

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Grangemouth dispute: Ineos says plant will stay open Grangemouth dispute: Ineos says plant will stay open
(about 1 hour later)
The Grangemouth petrochemical plant near Falkirk is to stay open after a new deal was struck with workers. Political leaders and unions have welcomed news that the Grangemouth petrochemical plant is to stay open after a deal was struck with workers.
Staff were told in a mass meeting at 11:00 that the decision to close the site would be reversed. The move was greeted by huge cheers from the workforce, who had gathered at the plant to be told the news.
Operator Ineos announced on Wednesday that the plant was to shut, with the loss of 800 jobs, after union members rejected a survival plan. Operator Ineos had announced on Wednesday that the plant was to shut, with the loss of 800 jobs, after union members rejected a survival plan.
But on Friday, Ineos said it would reopen the plant and the neighbouring oil refinery "with immediate effect". But the decision was reversed after the union agreed to Ineos's conditions.
The news was welcomed by the Unite union and political leaders. Ineos confirmed it would reopen the plant and the neighbouring oil refinery "with immediate effect", ending a bitter dispute with the Unite union which began over the alleged mistreatment of a Unite official.
The company said the move had followed a "dramatic U-turn" by Unite and its "belated recognition" that the company's survival plan was the only way to ensure Grangemouth's long-term future. The company said the move to reopen the plant followed a "dramatic U-turn" by Unite and its "belated recognition" that the company's survival plan was the only way to ensure Grangemouth's long-term future.
It added that Unite had agreed to taking no strike action for three years, moving to a "modern" pension scheme and accepting a three-year pay freeze.
Ineos also confirmed it would invest a further £300m in the site's long-term future.
The company's announcement was greeted by huge cheers from the workforce, who had gathered at the plant to be told of the company's decision.
Unite Scottish secretary Pat Rafferty said: "Relief will ring right round the Grangemouth community, and across Scotland today.Unite Scottish secretary Pat Rafferty said: "Relief will ring right round the Grangemouth community, and across Scotland today.
"Hundreds of jobs that would have been lost can now be saved and £300m will be invested into the plant.""Hundreds of jobs that would have been lost can now be saved and £300m will be invested into the plant."
The main points of the Ineos announcement included:
First Minister Alex Salmond described the announcement as a "tremendous fillip for the workforce and the whole Grangemouth community, following what could have been a potential disaster".First Minister Alex Salmond described the announcement as a "tremendous fillip for the workforce and the whole Grangemouth community, following what could have been a potential disaster".
He said it had been "a great team effort from all concerned", including the unions and workforce, the management and governments.He said it had been "a great team effort from all concerned", including the unions and workforce, the management and governments.
"I am delighted that people have rallied round to protect these jobs, and now we can all agree that Grangemouth has an outstanding future," he added."I am delighted that people have rallied round to protect these jobs, and now we can all agree that Grangemouth has an outstanding future," he added.
Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael also welcomed the announcement, saying that it was "the news that we all wanted".Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael also welcomed the announcement, saying that it was "the news that we all wanted".
"The staff and their families have been through a very stressful and uncertain time," he said."The staff and their families have been through a very stressful and uncertain time," he said.
"They have been through a hell of a week and I hope they have a much better weekend as a result of today's announcement.""They have been through a hell of a week and I hope they have a much better weekend as a result of today's announcement."
Mr Carmichael added: "They can look to the future with an optimism which was absent earlier in the week."
Ineos' future plans include investing a further £300m in the site.Ineos' future plans include investing a further £300m in the site.
Grangemouth chairman Calum MacLean said: "It is a huge investment and that investment was only rightly to be done if we had a long-term sustainable base.Grangemouth chairman Calum MacLean said: "It is a huge investment and that investment was only rightly to be done if we had a long-term sustainable base.
"What we have now done is given the chemicals business another 15 to 20 years on the back of new raw materials, new contracts and significant investment.""What we have now done is given the chemicals business another 15 to 20 years on the back of new raw materials, new contracts and significant investment."
Mr MacLean would not dismiss the prospect of redundancies, but said they would be "very limited". He also denied that the company had demanded any additional concessions from the union. Mr MacLean would not dismiss the prospect of redundancies, but said they would be "very limited".
The company said the Scottish government had indicated it would support its application for a £9m grant to help finance a gas terminal, while the UK government had given "pre-qualification approval" for a £125m loan guarantee facility. The company has also said that 2,000 contractors it laid off after shutting down the complex would be re-hired to support investment in its survival plan.
According to Ineos, the Scottish government has indicated it would support its application for a £9m grant to help finance a gas terminal, while the UK government has given "pre-qualification approval" for a £125m loan guarantee facility.
Ineos founder and chairman Jim Ratcliffe said it was "a victory for common sense".Ineos founder and chairman Jim Ratcliffe said it was "a victory for common sense".
He told the BBC that the Grangemouth complex "should have a life for many years to come, as long as we can get this gas terminal built and we can sign up gas contracts and bring gas in from America".He told the BBC that the Grangemouth complex "should have a life for many years to come, as long as we can get this gas terminal built and we can sign up gas contracts and bring gas in from America".
The company has indicated that 2,000 contractors it laid off after shutting down the complex would be re-hired to support investment in its survival plan.
Falkirk Council, which had planned to set up a task force to respond to the threatened closure, said the Ineos announcement was "the best possible outcome for all concerned".Falkirk Council, which had planned to set up a task force to respond to the threatened closure, said the Ineos announcement was "the best possible outcome for all concerned".
Council leader Craig Martin added: "There has been a tremendous effort behind the scenes to secure the plant's future involving UK and Scottish governments and Falkirk Council, working together to ensure the plant's survival.Council leader Craig Martin added: "There has been a tremendous effort behind the scenes to secure the plant's future involving UK and Scottish governments and Falkirk Council, working together to ensure the plant's survival.
"This partnership approach has paid off and a more stable and positive future for the workforce has been delivered.""This partnership approach has paid off and a more stable and positive future for the workforce has been delivered."
The closure move came after workers rejected a deal which would have changed their pay and pensions.The closure move came after workers rejected a deal which would have changed their pay and pensions.
Ministers and Unite were involved in top-level talks on Thursday to try to save the site and a fresh offer was made by unions to the company.Ministers and Unite were involved in top-level talks on Thursday to try to save the site and a fresh offer was made by unions to the company.