Rally over Grangemouth refinery closure

A major protest is being held outside the Scottish Parliament today, over plans to close the Grangemouth refinery.

Petroineos has announced the refinery will be turned into a fuel import terminal next year.

400 people are set to lose their jobs.

Workers, trade unions and environmental groups are among those campaigning.

The company says the plant is losing £385,000 a day.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “To throw highly skilled workers at Grangemouth on the scrapheap would be a monumental act of industrial vandalism. Grangemouth is essential to the success of the Scottish economy and politicians from all parties need to focus on finding a viable solution.

Politicians from all sides need to come together and ensure a viable future for Grangemouth, not at some time in the distant future but here and now. A failure to act by either Westminster or Holyrood government will not be forgiven or forgotten.”

Friends of the Earth Scotland just transition campaigner Rosie Hampton commented,

“As climate campaigners, we are marching in solidarity with the Grangemouth oil workers because they need and deserve a credible transition plan.

“For too long, politicians have abdicated responsibility for industrial planning, leaving companies like INEOS to run riot with devastating effects on communities and the climate. We need to see ramped up public investment into job creation, upgrading our ports, and into retraining pathways for workers in places like Grangemouth.

“The understandable fear and anger amongst the community and workers in Grangemouth could be repeated across the country as we inevitably transition away from fossil fuels. The closure of the oil refinery is a litmus test for politicians’ true commitment to ensuring that this move is both in line with climate science and that it meets the needs of the communities affected.”

“By importing refined oil, INEOS are unashamedly offshoring their carbon emissions, proving once again that they couldn’t care less about their devastating climate impact."

“Scotland and its workers need a renewable energy industry that is run in the public interest and can provide secure jobs for the long term."