Unite pushes for government action as decline of chemical sector
snowballs
28th July 2009
Unite, the UK’s biggest union, has stressed to the government
the importance of securing the Wilton plant, the only UK plant
still making ethylene oxide (EO) and as such pivotal to the
continuation of the UK chemical industry. However, the site is
facing run down as operators on the site close.
EO is a strategic raw material used by the chemical sector and
is central to the production of everyday goods from antifreeze to
soaps, paints and make up. The EO compound is hazardous to
transport and its movement is regulated, which means that
businesses purchasing the material cluster near the source plant.
The impending closure of the Wilton plant therefore also puts those
businesses dependent on EO from the Wilton plant at serious risk of
closure too.
Unite national officer for the chemical sector, Phil McNulty,
said: “We met with Lord Mandelson’s team to stress the importance
of Wilton to the chemical sector and surrounding businesses. The
situation is getting worse by the minute and we are starting to see
a snowball affect within the chemical sector.
“Artenius has now gone into administration with a threat to 220
jobs and we feel the situation will get a lot worse. As a result of
the closure at Wilton there could be a runaway reaction across the
industry and it’s putting thousands of jobs at risk. The hammer
blow to the economy of the north east of England must be averted.
The government has been asked to bring the employers together to
find a solution.”
ENDS
For further information contact Phil McNulty on 07799 114
235
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