Unite the union has today (3 February) blasted ExxonMobil for prematurely closing the Mossmorran Ethylene plant and the failure of UK government ministers to prevent the loss of hundreds of highly skilled jobs.
The union was informed late last night that ExxonMobil has ended its 40 year role as a major employer in the Fife economy despite having recently recorded profits of £25 billion – its third best year on record. 
Around 400 jobs are connected to the Ethylene plant, which produces materials critical to many everyday products, including manufacturing plastics, medical equipment and car parts. As well as those in manufacturing, workers affected include those with roles in construction, repair and maintenance.
In December, the UK government announced that it will invest £120 million in Ineos’ chemical factory in Grangemouth but the union has criticised the inaction at Mossmorran saying ministers in both Westminster and Holyrood have ‘failed to act’ in order to protect jobs and communities. 
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is another nail in the coffin of the oil and gas industry, with jobs haemorrhaging on this government’s watch. Unite has said repeatedly that the government should not be letting go of one rope before it has hold of another. Importing oil and gas while we offshore our carbon responsibilities is quite frankly an abdication of responsibility which makes us more vulnerable and betrays workers.
 
"ExxonMobil’s decision to close Mossmorran ahead of schedule is a disgrace and a betrayal of its workers. This is an enormously profitable multi-billion pound company and this unnecessary decision will have a devastating impact on the local community in Fife."
 
The Mossmorran closure is the latest blow to critical oil and gas jobs after the closure of the Grangemouth oil refinery which was estimated to make an economic contribution of £403.6m per annum with almost 3,000 workers reliant on the refinery’s operations. 
Industry groups claim that up to 1,000 oil and gas jobs will be lost every month until 2030 with a major factor being government policies. A study by Robert Gordon University (RGU)estimated the oil and gas workforce declined by around 5,000 jobs, from 120,000 in 2023 to around 115,000 in 2024. 
 The Office of National Statistics further revealed that low carbon and renewable energy employment was estimated to stand only at 33,500 in 2023. In the offshore wind sector, 3,500 jobs were estimated for Scotland while 3,300 jobs were estimated for the onshore wind sector in 2023. 
Unite industrial officer Bob MacGregor said: "The Mossmorran plant closing ahead of schedule has added further insult to injury for hundreds of workers who are now worrying about their futures.
“The UK government chose to intervene at Grangemouth to support jobs in the chemicals industry but the question being asked by our members at Mossmorran is why has there been zero support for them from either the UK or Scottish government?
“We see a trail of industrial destruction being inflicted by corporations and government inaction in its wake. There has been an abject failure to protect jobs in Mossmorran, Grangemouth, Aberdeen, Shetland, Orkney and across the North Sea.”

ENDS
Notes to editors
 
For media enquiries contact: Andrew Brady on 07810 157922 or andrew.brady@unitetheunion.org 
Unite Scotland is the country’s biggest and most diverse trade union with around 150,000 members.