Friday April 25, 09:30 AM
Fuel Supply Fears As Oil Refinery Closes
By Sky News
The Grangemouth oil refinery will shut down today ahead of a strike that could disrupt fuel supplies to half the country. Around 1,200 workers will stage a 48-hour walkout on Sunday and Monday as part of a dispute over pensions with the refinery's
owners, Ineos.Supplies across Scotland, the north of England and Northern Ireland could be hit hard by the action. Already, bus operators in Edinburgh have warned they will not be able to run any services from Sunday evening because of a lack of fuel. And airport operator BAA has advised airlines to refuel at the point of origin where possible, in order to safeguard fuel reserves as a precautionary measure. In preparation for the strike, employees will attend a mass meeting today where they will be addressed by the joint general secretary of the Unite trade union, Tony Woodley. Talks between union leaders and management broke up without agreement on Wednesday night. Mr Woodley is expected to brief workers on the latest position and he is expected to offer solidarity for the workers' cause. Meanwhile, the Government has insisted the country has enough petrol and diesel to last well into May. And Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond has told MSPs that "Scotland can cope" with the effects of the strike. Crucially, motoring organisations are calling on drivers not to panic buy at the petrol pumps. Their comments are coming after BP said the industrial action could force the closure of its Forties pipeline which delivers 30% of the UK's daily oil output. The offshore oil industry body Oil and Gas UK warned that this could cost an estimated £50m a day in lost production - with the Treasury taking half that hit.
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