STUC on INEOS

October 23rd 2013

STUC on INEOS

October 23rd 2013

Speaking after INEOS announced its intention to close and rapidly liquidate the Grangemouth petrochemical plant, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said:

“The behaviour of INEOS is simply disgusting and it reveals the true nature of a feral private equity concern that clearly believes it has no social obligations whatsoever.

“In anticipation of this eventuality, the STUC has been in discussion with Scottish Ministers and the Secretary of State for Scotland over the past few days. If INEOS is not willing to invest in this plant alternatives must be quickly and diligently pursued.

“As many have noted over the recent period, the Grangemouth complex is too important to the Scottish economy to be closed on the vindictive whim of an unaccountable billionaire. When the stability of the economy was threatened by the failure of RBS and HBOS, government was quick to act. Now when the stability of the Scottish economy is threatened by the industrial blackmail tactics of INEOS, government must again find the will to act.

“The STUC will meet UNITE colleagues later today to express the solidarity of the wider Scottish trade union movement and discuss ways in which we can provide practical support to the workforce and community”.

ENDS

For further information contact

Stephen Boyd 0141 337 8100