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Grangemouth industrial dispute
25/04/2008
First Minister Alex Salmond today contacted both sides in the industrial dispute that has serious implications for fuel supplies in Scotland and urged them to resume negotiations.
At a Press conference in Edinburgh, Mr Salmond said he urged them to get back round the table in order to resolve the situation and prevent wider damage and inconvenience to the people and economy of Scotland.
The Grangemouth oil refinery has been closed down in advance of a two-day strike beginning on Sunday.
Mr Salmond said that fuel supplies were flowing around the country and localised shortages in some areas were being addressed while large quantities of fuel, particularly diesel, were inbound on tankers from Rotterdam and Gothenburg to ensure continuity of supply.
Mr Salmond also said that he had spoken to UK Secretary of State John Hutton and agreed that there was no need to invoke emergency powers over fuel distribution and rationing.
And he added that the Scottish Ministers would lead by example in the current situation by behaving responsibly, reducing avoidable journeys, and using public transport when possible.