Grangemouth workers and community must be at the heart of shaping site's future
Workers and the community at Grangemouth must be at the heart of shaping the future of the site, says Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay.
Ms Mackay, who grew up in and represents Grangemouth and has met with representatives from Unite and other unions, has called on the First Minister to work with trade unions, workers and community representatives to develop plans for a positive and sustainable future for the site.
Ms Mackay said: “The INEOS site is a dominant part of life in Grangemouth. I grew up only 200 yards from the refinery, and am proud to represent the town today. I know how important the jobs are to the local economy and to the community as a whole.
“That’s why I’m calling on the First Minister to ensure that the workers and the community are at the forefront of shaping what's on their doorstep
“Since Jim Ratcliffe’s announcement I have met with workers and trade unions, and their anger and their anxiety is real. I feel it too. INEOS has treated those workers and their families terribly. They must be at the heart of shaping what happens next.
“The refinery has been on the site for nearly 100 years, and we need to ensure that what is there for the next 100 years does good for the community and for the workers.
“We need to make sure that the workers who are here now have the ability to adapt their skills to any new industry and that those industries have good jobs with good terms and conditions, pensions and pay.
“We can’t leave the workers or the town behind. We all need to pull together to ensure a secure, sustainable and prosperous future for Grangemouth.”