Grangemouth closure is devastating loss for workers and community
The news of Grangemouth refinery coming to an end is devastating for workers and the community, says Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay.
Ms Mackay grew up 200 yards from the refinery and represents Grangemouth, was responding to the news that Petroineos has ceased oil refining in Scotland.
Ms Mackay said:
“This is devastating for the workers and community of Grangemouth. We should have seen our Governments doing more to protect jobs and modernise the refinery into a space that would help our transition to a greener future.
“It is a further blow to the community. It is deeply disappointing that Labour have not stepped in to protect workers or to future proof jobs in the same way that they have with steelworks down south.
“Grangemouth is my home, and it has been frustrating to see promises being made and dropped as easily as Petroineos’ detached billionaire has now dropped the workforce.
“I am concerned about what this will look like in the short term for the town. Warm words will not pay the bills. Grangemouth holds a lot of potential, as do the workers who offer the skills we need for transitioning away from fossil fuels.
“Governments have not done enough to protect the workers, and my fear is that Grangemouth will now go the same way as so many other communities and towns, where big businesses have cut their losses and left at the expense of the communities and livelihoods.”
