Clash between union and refinery bosses fuels new strike fears

A ROW between the owner of Scotland’s only oil refinery and the trade union Unite could spark a damaging industrial dispute.

Ineos, which runs the plant in Grangemouth, Stirlingshire, has begun moves to block Unite from representing staff after accusing its officials of using them as ‘pawns in a bigger political game’.

Unite has hit back by threatening legal action to allow its voice to be heard – which could end up in new industrial action.

It comes little more than three years after the refinery was set to be closed by Ineos owner Jim Ratcliffe in response to industrial action by Unite, which would have triggered a national crisis and a potential jobs catastrophe worse than anything seen in Scotland since the closure of Ravenscraig. Closure was only averted when Unite general secretary Len McCluskey agreed to a survival plan which included a three-year pay freeze and a pledge not to strike over that period.

The new clash was sparked by Unite’s refusal to accept a 2.8 per cent pay rise.

John McNally, chief executive of Ineos O &P, which runs the Grangemouth site, accused Unite officials of a ‘personal vendetta’ against the management team.

In a letter to staff, he wrote: ‘Ineos have given notice to terminate the collective bargaining agreements with Unite.’

Mr McNally said there would be a threemonth notice period, and added: ‘We will defend your right to be represented by a union – although other options such as through a works council can be envisaged – but not by Unite. Not by a union that denigrates individual employees of our company at a public meeting. Not by a union that has an agenda of revenge against Ineos. And not by a union that uses our employees as pawns in a bigger political game.’

During the 2013 dispute, Unite carried out a campaign of bullying and intimidation against senior managers.

A dirty tricks unit known as the ‘leverage team’ sent mobs of protesters to the homes of senior figures in the firm. One director said he had feared for the safety of his wife

‘Pawns in a political game’

and his two young children after 30 Unite protesters appeared at his property.

Ineos has offered all staff a 2.8 per cent pay rise backdated to January, as well as a one-off 6.7 per cent bonus for all workers, and an additional bonus of up to 10 per cent depending on length of service. But Unite demanded a 3.25 per cent pay rise during negotiations.

Unite Scottish secretary Pat Rafferty called the company’s attitude ‘reckless’. He said: ‘This is an incredibly foolish attempt to undermine the democratic rights of workers so that Ineos can be free to squeeze every last bit of profit out of their jobs, wages and conditions. If Ineos doesn’t change its mind, we will simply go through the normal legal procedures and push for an independent ballot of workers.’

The Scottish Government said: ‘We encourage all parties to continue constructive dialogue with a view to reaching agreement as soon as possible.’