Grangemouth analysis: Steps that must be taken

By far the most obvious lesson is that the dispute in such a huge company in such a strategically important area should never have been allowed to get this far. So how can any repeat in the future be prevented?

Employees at the Grangemouth petrochemical plant react to the news that it is to stay open. Picture: Getty

The first step is to make it a legal obligation upon both management and union in such cases to be subject to compulsory arbitration to settle disputes. An independent third party like the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration (ACAS) would take submissions from both sides and make its judgment.

The second step is that the government has to exercise some control over the likes of Ineos. This could take the form of a government appointee on boards of directors who can wield the power of veto on important business decisions.

The third is to compel all medium and large companies to have a system of worker directors and works councils like that which exist in many European countries.

• Gregor Gall is professor of industrial relations at the University of Bradford