The Keep Grangemouth Working campaign called on workers, community members and trade unionists to march in support of the 500 refinery workers and the thousands more dependent upon it in the supply chain and wider Grangemouth community.
Fighting hard
Sharon Graham, Unite General Secretary said: “Unite is fighting hard for the futures of workers in Grangemouth, to extend the life of the refinery and to secure commensurate jobs for them in new low carbon projects at the plant.
“I have had some constructive high-level talks with the government in Westminster and we are also continuing to engage positively with Holyrood and Petroineos.
“The Keep Grangemouth Working campaign has put the fight to save Scotland’s only oil refinery centre stage. The march in Grangemouth is testament to the grit and determination of the workers to keep fighting for their futures.
“We cannot allow oil and gas workers to become the coal miners of our generation.”
Positive steps
Unite highlighted several ‘positive steps’ following high-level talks with the Government, including the joint government funding of £1.6m for Project Willow, which will explore low carbon projects at Grangemouth.
In the recent King’s speech, the Labour Government also indicated that a bill will be introduced to support sustainable aviation fuel production. Unite has campaigned to explore how sustainable aviation fuel could be developed at the refinery to support the whole of Scotland’s aviation sector.
Derek Thomson, Unite Scottish secretary, said: “There has been a sea change in government attitude both at Holyrood and Westminster over the refinery’s future.
“Now a solution with government support must be found to extend the lifespan of the oil refinery. Unite will work morning, noon, and night in the fight to save jobs at Grangemouth.”
“Grangemouth is one of the greatest tests the just transition process will ever face in Scotland. We need to get this right for the workers based at the refinery, and the thousands more dependent upon it in the wider supply chain and Grangemouth community.”
According to estimates, the Grangemouth complex contributes four per cent of Scottish GDP and makes up approximately eight per cent of Scotland’s manufacturing base.
Petroineos revealed in November 2023 that it is considering plans to begin transitioning its refining operations in 2025. Under the proposals, the refinery would primarily become an import and export oil terminal facility.
Image supplied by INEOS