Workers at a giant oil refinery and petrochemical site are to strike in a row over a union convenor.
Unite said its members at Grangemouth in Scotland will walk out for 48 hours from 7am on 0ctober 20 over the treatment of Stephen Deans.
The site’s owner Ineos has launched an internal investigation into Mr Deans, who was involved in the dispute over the selection of a Labour candidate in Falkirk.
Mr Deans, who is chairman of Labour’s constituency party, was suspended by Ineos, then reinstated.
Unite accused Ineos of refusing to take the dispute to the conciliation service.
Unite’s Scottish secretary Pat Rafferty said: “Unite has made every effort to pull Ineos back from the brink but at every opportunity this company has kicked our proposals for peace into touch.
“We have pleaded with Government ministers in Westminster and Holyrood and the joint owners of the Grangemouth refinery Petrochina to help rein in this reckless company before it’s too late.
“A damaging strike may shut down the Grangemouth site, with serious ramifications for fuel production and supply throughout Scotland and the north of England.”
Ineos recently launched a survival plan for Grangemouth, warning that the site will close by 2017 without investment and reduced costs.
The company said it was losing £10 million a month.
Officials said the investigation into Mr Deans will be completed by October 25.
Unite received an overwhelming mandate for strike action from the workforce, with 81.4% voting for walkouts and 90% for other forms of industrial action, on an 86% turnout.
A work to rule and overtime ban has been in place this week.
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