Division between governments over Mossmorran action

There are two separate government initiatives scheduled to take place this week to deal with potential job losses at Mossmorran in Fife.

The Scottish Secretary, Douglas Alexander, MP, says the workers deserve more than “political squabbles” between governments.

The Deputy First Minster announced she will hold a summit on the future of the ethylene plant at Mossmorran on Tuesday, while the Secretary of State for Scotland said he will meet business leaders and Fife Council on Monday.

All of this activity follows an announcement last week by Exxon Mobil, the oil company, to close the facility by February next year and move the production overseas. Part of the site is owned by Shell who have said they will continue to operate, but hundreds of jobs are under threat.

Scottish Government Taskforce

The Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, MSP, met with Scottish Enterprise’s Chief Executive, Adrian Gillespie, last Tuesday and announced in parliament on the same day, that she would convene a taskforce. She called for the UK Government to take urgent action, saying that Exxon Mobil has specifically referenced the UK’s current economic and policy environment which does not create a competitive future for its site.

She said in the chamber: “We will work with our partners, including the UK Government, to expand the eligibility of projects—identified through the investment task force—that could also locate at Mossmorran, with the hope of securing high-value jobs and investment.

“In the coming weeks and months it will be critical for all stakeholders to play their part. I call on all those with a vested interest, across this chamber and beyond – and, in particular, the UK Government – to work with me to secure a future for the site that aligns with our ambitions.”

Unions

Ms Forbes has invited the unions GMB and Unite, the owners ExxonMobil, Scottish Enterprise, the UK Government, Fife Council, Fife College, the Scottish National Investment Bank and local MSPs.

She said: “Our immediate priority is to explore way to retain employment at the site and support the workforce through this period of uncertainty. 

“I look forward to visiting the site and engaging with workforce representatives and the company. The Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise will join me, so that we can move at pace to explore new investment opportunities.

“Last week, I informed the Scottish Parliament that I would convene a task force to consider new opportunities for the Mossmorran site and to prioritise the workforce. Since then I have engaged extensively with the Unions and Scottish Enterprise. I will announce further information about the taskforce imminently. 

“In the meantime, this summit will bring together all the key stakeholders and I am keen that we consider every possible option to support the workforce at this distressing time. 

“The Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise are committed to doing all we can to support the people impacted by this and to ensure we do not lose the vital skills base of the Mossmorran workforce in Fife.”

Team Scotland

Mr Alexander believes the UK government initiative is to be preferred and has written to Ms Forbes urging her to combine resources. The Scottish Secretary said he would prefer that The Scottish Government gets behind a Team Scotland approach.

He said: “This is an incredibly difficult time for the Mossmorran workers and their families and it is vital they get the help they need.

“I look forward to meeting Fife Council tomorrow to discuss how working together we can all best support the workers, mitigate the impact of the closure on the wider Fife economy, and look at alternative uses for the site. It is right that the response is focussed on local needs, and has clear governance structures.

“I have written to Kate Forbes urging the Scottish Government to get behind the Council-led taskforce in a ‘Team Scotland’ approach. I very much hope the Scottish Government will accept Fife Council’s invitation to join tomorrow’s meeting.”

The Deputy First Minister wrote in The National newspaper on Saturday that the UK Government is hollowing out Scotland’s industrial capacity.

She claims that the UK Government has described this closure as a “purely commercial decision, confirming they would not provide financial assistance”. Ms Forbes drew comparison with Scunthorpe where the UK Government offered support to maintain jobs at British Steel.

Mr Alexander wrote this letter to Ms Forbes on Sunday:

Robert Deavy, GMB Scotland senior organiser, said: “Every possible option to protect the future of this plant must be on the table on Tuesday and  pursued with absolute urgency. 

“Everyone involved in these discussions must share our commitment and determination to protect these workers’ jobs and safeguard their communities in every way possible. 

“Scotland cannot afford to lose the jobs, skills and industrial capability of Mossmorran and these talks must recognise that and then quickly deliver effective action.”

Cliff Bowen of Unite, said:“Unite the Union welcomes this important intervention by the Deputy First Minister to convene a summit to tackle the issues arising as a result of ExxonMobil’s decision to close the Fife Ethylene Plant. Both Governments now must take decisive action to support the workforce that mitigate, and hopefully prevent, the consequences of this decision. Unite members need the support of all parties to secure their future.”