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More than 100 workers have staged an unofficial walkout at the under-fire Mossmorran plant in Fife.

The contractors left the petrochemical site earlier this morning and went home.

It is understood they are protesting redundancy selection measures, pay and health and safety at the plant which is on the outskirts of Cowdenbeath.

(Image: Daily Record)

A source at the site said the walkout is restricted to contractors of Bilfinger - a German company that specialises in civil and industrial construction and engineering services.

They added: “There’s about 100 workers that have left the site and they’ll be back on the gates early tomorrow morning. The dispute is over general working conditions, health and safety, pay and redundancy selection.

“Meetings have been planned to try and resolve the issues.”

ExxonMobil has come under increasing pressure in recent weeks to cutback on flaring at Mossmorran.

(Image: PA)

Hundreds of local residents have complained about the “apocalyptic” scenes with flames visible from as far away as Edinburgh.

The plant was shut for a time last year to try and fix the issues.

In recent weeks problems with a process unit combined with a reduced capacity of ground flares has intensified the flaring.

A GMB Scotland spokesperson said: “Relations between the workforce and management have been deteriorating for some time.

“Workers have continuously raised their concerns about conditions and safety on-site but have frankly been ignored.

“You can’t operate a major gas terminal this way and it shouldn’t be beyond the capabilities of Exxon and their sub-contractors to ensure workers feel safe and valued.”

ExxonMobil has been contacted for comment.

A spokesperson for Bilfinger UK, said: “Workers employed by a separate contractor at the Fife Ethylene Plant in Mossmorran staged an unofficial industrial action on Monday, which a number of our employees joined with unofficial sympathy action. This action resulted in a dispute over payment for the time our employees had withdrawn their labour.

“We are now working closely with our employees and the trade union, Unite, to quickly resolve this dispute.

“There is no dispute relating to working conditions, welfare, redundancy measures and health and safety between Bilfinger employees working at the plant and Bilfinger UK.

"We maintain an open dialogue with our employees and have rigorous health and safety processes in place, with no incidents reported since the contract began in September 2019.

“Our continued focus is on the ongoing success of our operations at the plant, safeguarding the long-term employment of our skilled and experienced workforce.”