Who has benefited from BP profits? Not workforce

Who has benefited from BP profits? Not the workforce says T&G in Scotland

BP record profits have not benefited the general public, customers or the workforce according to the Transport and General Workers Union in Scotland. Pat Rafferty, T&G regional industrial organiser for BP workers in the chemical industry said BP is poised to walk away from key operations in Central Scotland and questions still remain about the future safety and environmental protection of the sites.

"The global results of £8.7 billion have been announced against a backdrop of UK plant closures and the sale of UK profit generating sites while production of products is transferred to continental Europe," said Mr. Rafferty. "There's a hollow ring to the back-slapping from our point of view as UK manufacturing sites, particularly in Scotland, have been devastated in recent years in terms of number of workers employed. The BP brand is no longer associated with stability and security and as an entity at the heart of the UK economy."

Mr. Rafferty said that whilst BP has announced profits of £8.7bn there was an £800m depression of the bottom line from one-off charges from the sale of the chemical business. On April 1st this year BP will turn their back and walk away from chemical and refinery assets which have been the cornerstone of manufacturing and economic welfare in Central Scotland for around 75 years. Questions remain over remediation of the assets at the sites prior to BP exiting to ensure safe operation of the plants and acceptable environmental performance.

"When is enough, enough?" he added. "The BP exit strategy from the UK confirms our worst fears and, despite the profit levels recorded, this does not benefit the general public, the customer, the employees or the country as a whole."

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