Scottish trade unions back Grangemouth workers

21 April 2008

Scottish trade unions today gave their overwhelming support to the workers at the Grangemouth refinery as they prepare to strike in defence of their pensions.

In an emergency resolution passed unanimously today at the Scottish Trade Union Congress 400 delegates representing more than half a million trade union members from across Scotland voted to back the 1,200 Unite members and to campaign and support Unite members in the coming weeks as they fight for pensions’ justice.

Addressing the STUC today, Mark Lyons, lead Unite convenor at Grangemouth, said: "This dispute centres around an attempt by Ineos to rob our members of their pension benefits and to confine future members to a retirement in abject poverty.

"Much has been said by the company during this dispute, accusing our members of being greedy and irresponsible but the very same Ineos directors that have accused us of this are the very people who have stripped our scheme of £40 million of assets and reduced its contributions despite earning hundreds of millions of pounds in profit."

The emergency STUC resolution states:"That this Congress strongly supports the 1,200 Unite members at the Ineos refinery in Grangemouth who will undertake industrial action to defend their pensions.

"Recognises that the Grangemouth refinery generates enormous profits as a result of the hard work and skill of its employees and is dismayed that their reward is an assault on their terms and conditions. This injustice is compounded as the company pension scheme is profitable, well-funded and affordable.

"Congress further deplores the spin placed in the impending action by Ineos management and condemns stories that health and safety of the plant and local community will be compromised in any way.

"Emphasises that the union has consulted with management at every opportunity in order to satisfy all safety provisions in the event of shutdown including the extension of the statutory minimum period for notice of strike action.

"Congress acknowledges that this is a regrettable and painful decision for the workforce, many of whom are members of the local community."

Unite National Officer for Ineos, Phil McNulty, said today that Ineos had jumped the gun and panicked people unnecessarily. Unite has called on the company to enter into negotiations immediately to avert the strike planned for the 27th and 28th April.

For further information please contact Catherine Bithell in the Unite press office on 020 7 420 8909 or 07958 473 224