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Did the union get it badly wrong? Grangemouth Refinery

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-24631342

Losing £10m a month and the union fought a hard battle and it looks like it backfired.

No doubt some will blame the owners but surely a large amount of blame should be laid at the union for pushing it to far and getting it so severely wrong as to the intention of the owners.

Something is better than nothing?

Obviously I only have scant information so there maybe something missing but it really does seem like an own goal by the union, with the kicker being presumably if enough time passes between it being shut and a new buyer coming that the employees will have to accept whatever terms are offered if they want the job?

Feel for all workers involved.
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Comments

  • ILW
    ILW Posts: 18,333 Forumite
    Is the union Unite?
  • ILW wrote: »
    Is the union Unite?
    Yes........
    Don't trust a forum for advice. Get proper paid advice. Any advice given should always be checked
  • In some industries unions have far too much power, which is at times used for frivolous reasons. This leads to inefficiencies because effective working practices are hindered by silly complaints. It is refreshing to see an employer playing them at their own game for once.
  • ILW
    ILW Posts: 18,333 Forumite
    Yes........
    Old school union who cannot get into their heads that the private sector does not have an unlimited pot of money.
  • bap98189
    bap98189 Posts: 3,801 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    In my opinion yes. This was nothing to do with pay or conditions, but was become a clash of egos between the union officials and the employer. As I understand it, the union rep in question was accused of rigging an election. The company was carrying out an investigation and said they would come to a decision by 25th October. The union wanted the investigation shelved, the company refused and things escalated to the point a strike vote was called.

    There is too much refining capacity in Europe, so it is quite probable the refinery was going to close eventually anyway. We already import about half our diesel and a substantial amount of our petrol because it can be refined cheaper in other countries. By the sound of it the petrochemical plant was going to be closed anyway and the union chose the wrong fight, pushed too hard and this is the employer taking advantage of the situation and retaliating, trying to impose revised T&C's. Things have clearly got personal and I doubt this dispute will end well.
  • Southend1
    Southend1 Posts: 3,362 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I think it's too early to tell.

    It's possible the actions of the staff at Grangemouth contributed to accelerated closure however you have to defend your position at some point.

    And we don't know what the final chapter of the story will be, yet. Someone may step in and buy the plant.
  • Southend1 wrote: »
    I think it's too early to tell.

    It's possible the actions of the staff at Grangemouth contributed to accelerated closure however you have to defend your position at some point.

    And we don't know what the final chapter of the story will be, yet. Someone may step in and buy the plant.

    Defend your position but not to the end which is likely to have occurred. Someone may buy it but it is unlikely to be the government as they have already indicated no bailout.

    Whatever happens the terms will not be what they want and will be significantly less because both the employer and the union know that the employer will just shut it up if needs be so now the power has shifted to the owner or potential owner.
    Don't trust a forum for advice. Get proper paid advice. Any advice given should always be checked
  • ILW
    ILW Posts: 18,333 Forumite
    Southend1 wrote: »
    I think it's too early to tell.

    It's possible the actions of the staff at Grangemouth contributed to accelerated closure however you have to defend your position at some point.

    And we don't know what the final chapter of the story will be, yet. Someone may step in and buy the plant.

    A buyer is less likely to appear knowing they have to deal with a stroppy union.
  • "Within this, almost all of the administrative staff voted for the company's plan but a large majority of shop floor employees voted to reject it."

    Can anyone explain this?
  • zildjian wrote: »
    "Within this, almost all of the administrative staff voted for the company's plan but a large majority of shop floor employees voted to reject it."

    Can anyone explain this?
    Highly likely admin staff are not unionised
    Don't trust a forum for advice. Get proper paid advice. Any advice given should always be checked
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