Welsh Conservative AM Angela Burns today wrote to Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones in relation to concerns over jobs at the Chevron oil refinery in Pembroke.
Speaking this afternoon, the Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire AM said:
“I am extremely concerned by these reports. There is no room for complacency when it comes to this issue.
“I am not prepared to stand by and will be stressing the importance of these jobs to Pembrokeshire and the wider Welsh economy both to the company and the Assembly Government.
“The Assembly Government also needs to show leadership and not allow another Bosch to happen in an area which relies on investment such as this.
“Ministers need to be talking to Chevron directly to underline why continued investment in Pembroke matters.”
A copy of Angela Burns’ letter to Ieuan Wyn Jones reproduced below:
Ieuan Wyn Jones AM
Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy
Welsh Assembly Government
January 21st, 2010
Dear Ieuan,
I am sure that you will be aware of the announcement by Chevron that they are intending to shed some 1400 jobs globally, an uncomfortably similar number of jobs to those currently at the Pembroke Refinery. I have had a number of discussions with Chevron, including today, and would like to talk this situation through with you.
Whilst I understand that global companies usually make these decisions on behalf of their balance sheets, that the planning will have taken place over the proceeding months and that ultimately their drivers will be different to ours I also believe that we should lobby them to the best of our abilities to ensure that they do not commit to any adverse decisions without having a strong understanding of what you as a Government and we as a Country can and do offer them. Whilst I am led to believe that the decisions are still at a strategic level I also believe that we should take pre-emptive action to secure the future of the Pembroke Refinery.
As for Pembroke, it is their only European refinery, Paul Davies and I were there last week hearing about their plans for the future from the local team, and I would hope that despite the global loss of revenues from downstream oil they would wish to retain their European presence. I would like us to make sure they understand their importance to Pembrokeshire, to Wales and to the UK and to go through with them what factors would mitigate for us rather than against us if the Pembroke Refinery were in their sights as a possible area of cost saving.
I appreciate that, for my part, I can tell Chevron USA nothing about their business that they do not already know but I can perhaps give them a reminder of the importance of the company within Pembrokeshire, the contribution they make to the local economy, the many non directly employed people & companies that they influence and the incalculable and positive effect their community involvement has had over the years. And to also remind them of the incredibly highly skilled, loyal and motivated workforce they have. I am therefore putting together a small presentation which I will be aiming at the appropriate decision makers
I would like to discuss this matter further with you, am available to meet at any time convenient for you and I would be more than prepared to act jointly with you on any action you may think we should take.
With kind regards
Angela
Angela Burns
AM for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire
