Grangemouth refinery will remain closed say bosses

Bosses at the Grangemouth oil refinery have shut down the plant and say it will remain closed.

INEOS have been in negotiations with Unite union members who were due to walk out for 48 hours from Sunday over the treatment of Unite convenor Stephen Deans.

Lengthy talks were held at the conciliation service Acas but they ended at 5am on Wednesday without agreement. The union accused the company of “walking away” after 16 hours of talks.

A statement from INEOS read, “Grangemouth is shut down and will remain shut down.

“Grangemouth is financially distressed. The industrial action called by Unite the Union has inflicted significant further damage on the company.

“INEOS will put a proposal to the workforce tomorrow and expects a response on Monday, after the weekend.

“The company will review its position with its shareholders on Tuesday.“