Workers at Mossmorran ‘deserve better’ that Forbes’ approach, says Alexander

The Secretary of State for Scotland has said Mossmorran workers “deserve better” than the deputy first minister’s “proposed approach” for the site.

In a letter addressed to Kate Forbes on Sunday, Douglas Alexander referenced the message he sent to her and Peter Kyle, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, which proposed a Fife Council-led taskforce be set up on the closure of Mossmorran’s ExxonMobil Fife Ethylene Plant.

Mr Alexander said: “I wrote that letter for two reasons. Firstly and above all, I thought, and think, that the workers and site at Mossmorran deserve unity rather than political squabbles between governments in responding to Exxon’s closure decision.

“Secondly, I recently spoke about the critical role of local government in shaping Scotland’s future and the need to see that reflected in decision-making.”

Global energy giant ExxonMobil announced on Tuesday that it will close its manufacturing plant in Fife.

The Fife Ethylene Plant – which produces the base material for plastics – is expected to shut in February.

According to the company, 179 directly employed jobs will be at risk along with 250 contractors, with the possibility of 50 staff transferring to the Fawley Petrochemical Complex almost 500 miles away in Hampshire.

Ms Forbes announced last week that she will host a summit on future support for workers at the site.

She will visit the ethylene plant on Tuesday and invited ExxonMobil, the GMB and Unite unions, Scottish Enterprise, the UK Government, Fife Council, Fife College, the Scottish National Investment Bank and local MSPs to attend.

Mr Alexander wrote that he was “disappointed” in Ms Forbes for forming a “solely Scottish Government-led taskforce” and added: “There is, of course, an established precedent for the UK and Scottish governments working together in similar circumstances, given the jointly led Grangemouth taskforce that was established previously.

“I was therefore disappointed that, without any further discussion and despite your knowledge of the position of Fife Council, you press-released your decision to convene a solely Scottish Government-led taskforce, notwithstanding the need for our governments to work together.”

He said he would “ask that officials attend your discussions on Tuesday” but believes “the workers at Mossmorran deserve better than your proposed approach”.

He wrote: “I will be accepting the Fife Council’s invitation to attend a meeting with you at Fife House tomorrow.

“I hope that you too will attend that meeting in order that we can use this early opportunity to resolve the outstanding governance issues for a task force, to ensure resources are combined to best serve the interests of Mossmorran and its workforce.”

Commenting on his second letter, Mr Alexander 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 focused 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.”

Ms Forbes said: “The UK Government have had since April to act to support the workforce and have done nothing. I’m focused on the workers at risk and that requires strong leadership.

“Scottish Enterprise has the necessary expertise and experience to identify potential alternative investors and employers for the Mossmorran site, which is why I confirmed to the Scottish Parliament last Tuesday that I would convene a taskforce specifically for Fife and Mossmorran.

“They have already began that work. To establish a second taskforce led by Fife Council sounds like a duplication of effort.

“I called Tuesday’s summit with the support of the trade unions to ensure there is an early discussion and provide updates on steps already taken this week to secure a future for Mossmorran. To wait two weeks as the Secretary of State suggested in his letter is far too long.

“The Scottish Government will work with all partners, including Scottish Enterprise, the UK Government and Fife Council to ensure we mitigate the impact of this decision and secure a future for the site.”