Grangemouth refinery bosses warn strike will spark petrol crisis at Scotland's pumps

Apr 20 2008 By Fariha Karim

Fuel Crisis Fear As Scotland's Only Oil Refinery Is Closed

SCOTLAND is facing a major fuel crisis following the shutdown of our only oil refinery.

The Grangemouth plant began the first stages of a partial closure due to a planned strike - the first taken by British oil workers in 73 years.

The former BP refinery - now owned by Ineos, the world's third largest chemical company - has to close to make it safe before the industrial action by 1200 staff on April 27 and 28.

The strike has been called by union Unite due to a row over changes to workers' pensions.

Members will not provide safety cover during the action.

Bosses claim the plant will have to shut for at least four weeks and have warned there will be major fuel shortages.

Last night the Government was examining a national emergency plan.

Grangemouth's closure, which began late on Friday night, is expected to spark panic at petrol stations today, with motorists stockpiling fuel.

Ineos claim the stoppage will also close a large proportion of North Sea oil and some gas production.

Chief executive Tom Crotty added: "The union is well aware that a 48-hour strike will cause fuel chaos in Scotland and the north of England for weeks.

"This is a huge oil refinery and you can't just turn it on and off like a tap.

"A month is our best guess but safety will be at the forefront of everything we do."

A statement from the firm added: "Fuel shortages are likely to begin in Scotland as early as April 25 and the whole of Scotland could be without fuel for at least a month."

Unite called the action over fears Ineos plans to close the final salary pension scheme after taking s40million from it and slashing its own contributions.

National officer Phil McNulty said: "The changes to the scheme Ineos are proposing are unreasonable and unnecessary."

Scottish Government officials are now drawing up contingency plans to cope with fuel shortages.

They said: "We are calling on both sides to resolve their differences to avert this action.

"Ministers are being kept informed of developments and are liaising with the UK Government, who have responsibility for continuity of oil, gas and fuel supplies."

The UK national emergency plan was last used in 2000 during fuel protests in England.

The UK department of business said: "The use of emergency plans is an option, if necessary, to mitigate the effect of possible future fuel supply disruptions."

The Federation of Small Businesses Scotland said: "This is terrible news for Scottish small businesses.

"A reliable fuel supply is the least you can expect from a country as oil rich as Scotland."

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