The operator of the Grangemouth oil refinery has been accused of refusing to attend conciliation talks aimed at resolving the dispute which has led to a work to rule at the site.
Trade union Unite said Ineos was behaving “recklessly” in rejecting the union’s request to use Acas in a row over the treatment of its convener Stephen Deans.
Workers at the plant site have already launched a work to rule and overtime ban, with the union warning it has not ruled out strike action.
“It is our view that Ineos is using Stephen Deans, who is an innocent man, and the country’s energy supplies as pawns in some twisted industrial game,” said Unite regional secretary Pat Rafferty.
“The company’s inaction will force the union into industrial action which would inevitably put the nation’s fuel supply at risk. It will be Ineos’ refusal to engage that will be to blame should this happen.
“Ineos’ unknown objectives are a mystery to us and it seems intent on confrontation.
“This latest move by Ineos to refuse the opportunity to use the conciliation service Acas to try to resolve this dispute is utterly baffling.”
The company is conducting an internal investigation into Mr Deans.
Ineos has warned that the petrochemical site will close in 2017 without fresh investment and reductions in costs.
An Ineos spokesman said: “Unite only wanted to go to Acas over the Stephen Deans issue, not the survival plan.
“There is an investigation going on into Stephen Deans that will be completed by October 18, and is following our standard due process, which is the same for anyone.
“Until the investigation is concluded, we do not know all the facts. Going to Acas without the facts is a pointless exercise.”
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