A long running dispute over an inquiry into alleged misuse of company facilities (email) by a Unite-affiliated worker at the Ineos oil and petro-chemical processing plant in Grangemouth, Scotland, has blown up in a full-scale industrial battle, leading to the First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, intervening to try to broker a settlement. (Ref. 130642)
Unite’s convenor at the plant, Stephen Deans, was suspended and then re-instated over allegations he used company property (email facilities) and work time to engage in recruiting Unite members to the Labour Party. Despite being re-instated the company continued its investigation of him, with the conclusion of the investigation due on 25 October. In the meantime, Unite balloted its members on strike action and industrial action short of a strike to force the company to end the investigation and any ensuing charges against Deans.
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