MORE than 100 jobs are under threat in Grangemouth with a Versalis plant set to close.

GMB Scotland said the closure of the plastics plant will affect hundreds of workers and their communities.

The union said 135 jobs would be at direct risk along with many more agency and contract staff.

It comes after Petroineos announced it would be closing town's the oil refinery with the potential loss of around 400 jobs.

It is planned to be turned into an oil import terminal, but only around 20% of the 500 staff currently employed on site are expected to be required for its new purpose.

Talks around the future of the Versalis site in Bo'ness Road had been going on for several months but GMB was told of the closure at a meeting this morning before staff were informed.

The first job losses are expected in April.

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Dom Pritchard, GMB Scotland organiser, said talks were underway with the company to ensure the closure of the plant is properly managed and that workers secure the best possible redundancy term. 

He said: “We have been in talks with management for some time and, while closure was an option, this news is a body blow for many of our members, their families and the communities where they live.

“The impact of this decision will not only be felt by workers inside the plant but among suppliers and support staff.

“We will be continuing our discussions with the company and working tirelessly to ensure those workers losing their jobs receive the best terms possible.”

Versalis UK is part of the Italian energy company Eni’s chemical division, one of the six largest energy companies in the world.

It has branches all over the world, making plastics, rubbers and developing technologies for polymer recycling.

The Scottish Greens have called for urgent talks to try and avert the loss of jobs.

MSP Gillian Mackay said: “This will be devastating news for workers and their families, and all efforts must be taken to try and support them. I am asking for urgent updates from the site owners and unions as to what else might be done.

“Coming 10 days before Christmas Eve the timing of this announcement is particularly cruel, plunging the immediate staff and all those who would be impacted by the decision into deep uncertainty ahead of the festive break. 

“We cannot have a situation where businesses opt to just up sticks and leave, abandoning the staff and the community that have supported them loyally and skilfully over the years, without exhausting every possible alternative solution.

“I am calling for urgent talks with all stakeholders and workers to investigate if there can be any way to protect their futures.”