Grangemouth strike called off

A planned strike at the Grangemouth oil refinery has been called off even though peace talks failed to resolve a bitter row over a union convenor.

Union Unite attacked the “scandalous behaviour” of the Scottish site’s owners Ineos, but said it wanted to protect the national asset.

Union members were due to walk out for 48 hours from Sunday over the treatment of Unite convenor Stephen Deans.

Lengthy talks were held at the conciliation service Acas but they ended at 5am without agreement.

Unite accused the company of “walking away” after 16 hours of talks.