Deputy First Minister to host summit to support workers of ExxonMobil's Mossmorran plant
A summit is to be held by Scotland’s Deputy First Minister following a visit to Fife Ethylene Plant.
Kate Forbes will visit ExxonMobil’s plant at Mossmorran on Tuesday following the news from the firm last week that it plans to close its site near Cowdenbeath in February.
Staff were told last Tuesday that their jobs are at risk as a result of the plans.
The Deputy First Minister said last week that she will convene a taskforce with Scottish Enterprise, and the summit will follow her visit to the plant with Adrian Gillespie, Scottish Enterprise’s chief executive.
Ms Forbes has already called for the UK Government to take urgent action as ExxonMobil has been clear in its announcement that the current economic and policy environment does not create a competitive future for its site.
The summit will be an opportunity to explore how to ensure everything possible is being done to support workers and secure a future for the site.
Invited to the summit will be unions GMB and Unite, the site owners ExxonMobil, Scottish Enterprise, the UK Government, Fife Council, Fife College, the Scottish National Investment Bank and local MSPs.
The Deputy First Minister 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.”
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.”