Merkel concern at 'US phone spying'

Grangemouth dispute: Union set for concessions in talks

 

Union leaders will make concessions to try to save Grangemouth petrochemical plant when they meet management later, the BBC understands.

All 800 employees were told they would lose their jobs when owner Ineos announced the closure of the facility.
Employees had rejected proposals by the firm to end their final salary pension scheme and cut shift allowances.
Unite is now set to accept this plan in talks on Thursday on the future of one of Scotland's largest industrial sites.
Ineos warned that the petrochemical plant had no future unless its proposals were approved.
The company said it had decided to close the plant because half the workforce had refused to accept the cost-cutting plan essential for the facility's survival.
BBC Scotland correspondent Colin Blane said the Unite union appeared to be shifting its position and ready to accept the survival plan.
Local management said it would pass on any change in the union's position to shareholders - but there would still be a big hurdle to get over.

 Merkel concern at 'US phone spying'

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called US President Barack Obama after receiving information that the US may have spied on her mobile phone.

A spokesman for Mrs Merkel said the German leader "views such practices... as completely unacceptable".
Mrs Merkel called on US officials to clarify the extent of their surveillance in Germany.
The White House said President Obama had told Chancellor Merkel the US was not snooping on her communications.
"The United States is not monitoring and will not monitor the communications of the chancellor," White House spokesman Jay Carney said on Wednesday.
The US has been on the receiving end of anger from allies over spying allegations based on material said to originate from fugitive American leaker Edward Snowden.