A TOP union boss has said he has had "zero contact" with Anas Sarwar since it was announced Grangemouth refinery would close.
Unite’s Scottish secretary, Derek Thomson, claimed there have been no contact with the Scottish Labour leader and "very little" with leadership figures on the closure of the refinery.
Thomson's comments come as a demonstration outside the Scottish Labour conference from unions demanding more action to save jobs at the Grangemouth oil refinery was held.
Speaking to reporters on the morning of the protest ahead of conference, Sarwar said he was willing to meet with the unions.
However, Thomson responded and said Sarwar would likely not get a "warm welcome".
He said: "Since the announcement on the refinery was made, I have had zero contact with Anas Sarwar on this, very little interaction with the Scottish Labour leadership and very little interaction with the UK Labour leadership.
"So, yes, if Anas wants to come out, but you know, I wouldn't expect him to be given a very warm reception at that demonstration."
The unions were joined by former Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard, as well as Roz Foyer, general secretary of the Scottish Trade Union Congress.
A £1.5 million report into the feasibility of Grangemouth becoming a low-carbon energy hub is due to be published by the end of the month.
Thompson previously Labour could have “absolutely” done more to protect job losses at the site.
Scottish Labour has been contacted for comment.
He called on every politician to step up and call for an immediate suspension of the closure plans.
The trade unionist also urged the Scottish Government to do more to help “devastated” workers.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Any suggestion that the Scottish Government is not fully committed to finding a secure future for Grangemouth and its workers, is wrong.
“Ministers have been clear that refining at Grangemouth should continue, and a premature closure of the refinery is fundamentally short-sighted and detrimental to the transition to net zero.
“Since 2021, we have provided funding support to Petroineos and Ineos to start work on planning for Grangemouth’s future. Scottish Government support made this work happen and was pivotal in building the foundations of the vital Project Willow work.
“We remain at the table and willing to support the business as it transitions the existing site to new technologies; however, we can only go so far within our limited fiscal and regulatory powers.
“That is why we call on Petroineos to provide material support to ensure a more orderly transition for the asset, and the UK Government to deploy, at pace, monies from the national wealth fund to prevent any further loss of employment and manufacturing activity.”
