17/10/2013 Reporting Scotland

more than 9%. That is all from the BBC

Tonight, on Reporting Scotland: The Grangemouth dispute escalates.

Let's get over that and show these people what our opinion is! -- let's

get over there. The operators tell staff to accept

new conditions to save the plant. The Unite union threatens legal

action, accusing them of "cynical blackmail."

We have to stick together as aid unit and stand solid and fight.

-- a unit. My main thing is anger and disappointment.

We will have the latest on the dispute.

Also in the programme. A murder trial hears of the moment this

woman's battered body was discovered in a toilet during a conference in

Glasgow. This little boy's life was saved

thanks to an award-winning service which uses the latest in

life-support technology. Services to tennis.

Andy Murray receives his OBE from Prince William at Buckingham Palace.

And join me in Glasgow where Glasgow City take on Standard Liege in the

Champions League. The dispute at the Grangemouth

refinery has tonight deepened, with both the management and the union

engaged in a bitter war of words. The Scottish and UK governments have

moved to reassure the public that there is no threat to fuel supplies.

Catriona Renton has spent the day in Grangemouth. Catriona.

Earlier today, the Unite union members, over 300, 400 outside the

headquarters of INEOS at Grangemouth. We cannot see it in the

picture. There were protesting outside the headquarters and they

say they will do that every day in a daylight vigil from 7am until it

gets dark, until Monday, the day they called D-day. That is the day

they have to respond to the proposals put to them by the company

this morning for changes to their pensions and terms and conditions.

The company say the exchanges are absolutely -- the changes are

essential to assure the future of the chemical plant here, but

emotions have been running really high. I spoke to one man who did not

go on camera but he is a father, a worker, and he broke down in tears

when he said the consultation letter to determine his future was

delivered to his door. Now we know the depth of the

contempt for you and the economy and the good people of Scotland.

Angry response from union members. The Dickensian workhouse was for --

was far better than what we are facing here.

A meeting to show seller Daugherty and then they marched to demonstrate

outside the company offices. -- solidarity.

My main thing is anger and disappointment.

The pensioners we worked hard for, guaranteed overtime is horrendous, a

terrible situation -- the pensions. Very concerned but we have

solidarity and we will fight. There was a threatened strike,

owners say the plans will not be fired open again until workers have

responded to their proposals, and if they do not accept changes?

There will be no petrochemical operations here in Grangemouth and

no jobs. By buying into it, they preserve their jobs here at

Grangemouth. Grangemouth buys 70% of Scottish

fuel and produces over 200,000 barrels of oil each day, but the UK

government insists there is no threat to supply.

We have done a lot of work and I can say with confidence people will be

able to see fuel supplies, they will get petrol and diesel and heating

oil as they need, airports will get the aircraft fuel, contingency

arrangements are bussed whatever happens.

The company says they are losing ?10 million each month and the shutdown

has cost ?20 million so far. The union says workers are being

blackmailed. They feel they are being held to

ransom here in the sense of, accept these terms and fundamental changes

to your terms and conditions or we will close your workplace. It is

absolutely outrageous. Members have until Monday to

respond. Shareholders will meet on Tuesday to decide when this place

will be back up and running again. Our business editor joins me now.

Let's look at this, what are the terms and conditions that have been

offered? The proposal from INEOS is a pay

freeze for three years, bonuses will not be paid until 2017. The shift

allowance cut by a quarter, so effectively a pay cut starting at

10% and as the freeze goes on, it will get deeper. The biggest change

is to pensions, moving away from guaranteed pensions, contributions

tripling. That is not uncommon across the private sector and it has

been resisted elsewhere. The company not talking about job losses. But

what has provoked the union is this deadline, to sign up by 6pm on

Monday and if you do not, your contract will be terminated and you

will be hired a game under new conditions. That has brought the

threat of legal action from the union.

A lot of anger where might this dispute go from here?

The company says it is loss-making and it will close the petrochemical

and if it does not get the cuts. Refinery looks much more secure for

now. It is not afraid to close plants if they are not making money,

it has taken the cost, ?20 million so far, and it will not open the

planned unless it gets us your insists there will be no further

strikes. But the union is not backing down. --, it's it gets

assurances. It is urging members to stick to the union as a negotiator.

Unite is challenging claims of the company of financial distress, but

both sides agreed the finances are so complex between written and

Switzerland, it is hard for any outsider to make much sense of them.

Thank you. Scottish Gas customers in the North of Scotland are facing

higher bills than the rest of the UK, after a decision by owners

Centrica to increase prices. The price rise will see an average UK

dual-fuel bill going up by 9.2% from 23 November. But regional

differences mean domestic customers living North of Perth will see an

average rise of 11.2%, the biggest in the UK. The company blames the

higher charges on network costs it pays to the transmission companies

around the country. A murder trial has heard that the

battered body of a woman was found in a ladies' toilet in the Clyde

Auditorium by two women who were delegates at a conference there.

Marie Anne Vandenhende, a doctor from France, told the High Court in

Glasgow there was blood all around Khanokporn Satjawat's head and body,

the left side of her face was very badly injured and she wasn't

breathing. Security guard Clive Carter admits killing Khanokporn

Satjawat, in November last year, but denies murdering her. Aileen Clarke

was at court. Marie Anne Vandenhende, a doctor

from France, and a French pharmacist told the court they attended a

conference at the SECC in November last year. After lunch on Monday the

12th, they left the session at the Clyde Auditorium to go to the

toilet. Marie Anne Vandenhende told the court as they approached the

door of the ladies toilet, it was open from inside by a security guard

-- it was opened. He had a fire extinguisher and he said they could

not use the toilets as there had been a fire. She identified the

security guard as the accused Clive Carter. The pharmacist was asked

what she noticed, she said... The court heard the two friends went

to other toilets but were suspicious and on their way back, they went to

the first toilets they had approached. In a cubicle, lying on

the floor, they found the body of map -- they found the body of

Khanokporn Satjawat. The doctor said there was blood around her head and

body and she was not breathing, and she had the power of somebody who

had died. She was asked, could you see the left side of her face? What

was left of it, she replied. Clive Carter admits killing

Khanokporn Satjawat but denies murdering her. By repeatedly hitting

her with a fire extinguisher. You are watching Reporting Scotland

from the BBC. Still to come on the programme: Honours for Scottish

soldiers, after a six-month tour of Helmand.

In sport: Bad news for Brown. The Celtic captain will miss their next

three Champions League games. I will tell you why.

And it is all about Europe for Glasgow City tonight, they can book

their place in the last 16 of the Womens' Champions League. Join me

later. The SNP leader Alex Salmond has

opened his party's annual conference in Perth by saying next year's

independence referendum is the biggest opportunity Scotland has

ever had. He went on to claim that there exists what he calls a

'natural majority' in favour of independence.

Indications are that by a factor of four Khanokporn Satjawat one, people

trust the Scottish government rather than Westminster to govern Scotland.

We believe the Scottish Parliament should make the key decisions on

tax, welfare and pensions. That, delegates, is the natural majority

for Scottish independence. It exists in this land at the moment and it is

why I believe it will be reflected in a majority for the Yes vote in

the ballot paper next September. Our political editor, Brian Taylor,

joins me now from Perth. Brian, despite Mr Salmond's confidence, the

polls seems to be against him. Mr Salmond is talking about a

natural potential majority, arguing Scottish people are persuadable if

they can be assured on the economy. It was quite striking that his

demeanour was calm and controlled. No brave heart style rhetoric. That

might have infused the delegates he -- the delegates here in the hall.

Part of that was the shadow of the Grangemouth dispute and calculation

that while I've heart rhetoric might excite those in the hall, people

outside of looking for controlled answers.

This is a big opportunity for the SNP to showcase their arguments for

independence. It is, and they are seizing it. In

the private session, there was one complaint raised that some policies

by the Scottish government had been driven through without necessarily

consulting the party. We are talking about the issue of corroboration in

court cases. But overwhelmingly, this is a united conference in

driving forward their determination to bring about the prospect of

independence. They are offering two traces, full self-government under

self-governance. Nicola Sturgeon will say if Scotland says no to

independence, Westminster will turn the screw on Scotland 's financial

spending powers. And there will be more from the SNP

Conference on Newsnight Scotland tonight over on BBC Two at 11.

A national service which has saved the lives of hundreds of children

across Scotland has been recognised with an award. Yorkhill Children's

Hospital in Glasgow has used the latest technology to treat almost

500 children, half of them newborn babies, and has been commended for

excellence in life-support. Our health correspondent, Eleanor

Bradford, reports. Two -year-old Matthew has just

discovered this train set at Yorkhill Hospital in Glasgow. It is

hard to believe this inquisitive little boy nearly died shortly after

birth. He had breathed in fluid in the womb which had blocked his logs,

he was rushed here at just three hours old -- his logs.

There was so much fluid and the doctor said if it had been 24 hours

later, he probably would not have made it.

Matthew was hocked up to a Extracorporeal Membrane

Oxygenation, ECMO, machine. Yorkhill Hospital was one of the

first in the UK to use this technology. It does the work of the

lungs and the survival rate here for children like Matthew is twice the

norm. It allows us time to make the baby

better or the baby to get better, or whatever other treatments we are

using such as antibiotics and physiotherapy to clear out meconium

like Matthew had, and we can do that in a nice orderly and controlled

fashion. If you think you have heard of ECMO

machines before, it you are right, they hit the headlines in the swine

flu outbreak in 2009 when they helped those with lungs which were

failing. Chalk Hill had been using them for decade, saving the lives of

hundreds of children -- Yorkhill Hospital.

The doctors give 100% support. The staff have been recognised for

Excellence in Life Support. And Matthew is off to write to Santa

about that train set. The Duke of York has presented

soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Scotland with medals for their

service in Afghanistan. Soldiers from the second Battalion, the Royal

Highland Fusiliers, have just returned from a six-month tour of

Helmand. At the beginning of the tour, three soldiers were killed in

a roadside explosion. Cameron Buttle reports.

Back to friends and family, the soldiers of the second Battalion

Royal Regiment of Scotland. Hundreds lined the streets here to welcome

them home at the end of a six-month tour of Afghanistan. But thoughts

are never far from the three who were killed at the beginning of the

tour. Corporal William Savage, Fusilier Samuel Flint, Robert

Hetherington, died in a massive roadside bomb. Another six soldiers

were seriously injured. It was a tragic incident and the

thoughts have been with families. But what it did do was, it pulled

the battalion together and it's strengthened our resolve to do what

we were there to do. We were there to advise the Afghan National

police, who are really very confident now, genuinely in the lead

in Afghanistan, so we are doing things differently. It allowed as

during the talk to step back and to allow them to read and to show their

confidence, which they did do very impressively.

The battalion 's Royal Colonel Prince Andrew presented medals to

two Scots, he paid tribute to the work of the battalion which was

first deployed to home and in 2007. This parade marks the third tour of

Afghanistan and as military operations continue to wind down, it

is almost certainly be end of their part in the conflict which began a

decade ago. But another 1200 Scottish troops are just getting

their tour of Afghanistan. All combat forces will be withdrawn next

year. Other stories from across Scotland

this Thursday. Police probing a spate of cash

machine raids in the North East have released CCTV images of a car they

want to trace. Officers are investigating recent thefts in

Bieldside and New Deer, and attempts on machines in Oldmeldrum and

Inverurie. A dark-coloured Audi saloon is "believed to be of

relevance" to the investigation. Renewable energy developer RES UK

has welcomed a decision by the Scottish Government to clear its

plans for a wind farm in the Borders. The firm lodged an appeal

over its 15-turbine Penmanshiel wind farm plans, after a dispute with the

local council. The project was cleared, after the number of

turbines was cut to 14. The new Chief Inspector of Prisons

for Scotland has found that cells for vulnerable inmates at Barlinnie

prison in Glasgow present an unacceptable risk, and that there

has been little progress since 2011. He also found that prisoners now

have more access to basic facilities, but warned of potential

problems with overcrowding. One of the concerns I have is the potential

increase in population here at Barlinnie prison as a result of the

close of Aberdeen and Peterhead prison earlier this year.

The entrepreneur Sir Tom Hunter has been awarded a Carnegie Medal of

Philanthropy at a ceremony at the Scottish Parliament. He was among a

group of people to be honoured for using their wealth and business

acumen for public good. And there are more stories from your

area - and all the latest news, 24 hours a day on BBC Scotland's

website. Andy Murray - Olympic gold

medallist, Wimbledon champion and now OBE. He was at Buckingham Palace

today to receive his honour. But as Steven Duff reports, he almost

didn't make it on time. Mr Andrew Murray for services to

tennis. Scotland's biggest sports star receives his OBE at Buckingham

Palace, another accolade to add to the Olympic and Grand Slam honours.

A big day that started with a random drugs test. They came at about 8am

this morning. I was just about to start getting ready and they turned

up so I was worried I was going to be late but the taxi driver did a

good job getting around London. A minor inconvenience or part of the

job, the job that these young players in Aberdeen could only dream

of. The top 12 and 18-year-olds from the north-east under the watchful

eye of one of the biggest names in women's tennis over the last decade.

Justine Henin. Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam that eluded her during

her career. She is a role model to a generation of young players. I had

the opportunity to have the whole country of Belgium behind me. The

Children In Need the example, they need to dream. It is important for

them to dream. -- the children need that example. Andy Murray is in

rehabilitation after surgery on his back. Fit in time for the Australian

Open? I am not going to come back unless I am 100% fit. The

rehabilitation process is tedious and long. I will only come back when

I am 100% fit and I hope that is at the beginning of the year. And

Olympic gold medallist, two-time grand slam winner and now an OBE.

All by the age of 26. No wonder these young players are working so

hard at their dream job. Here is David with the sport.

The Celtic captain Scott Brown will miss the club's next three Champions

League matches. A one-match ban for his ordering off against Barcelona

last month had been trebled by UEFA. As Brian McLauchlin reports, Celtic

will appeal what they say is an excessive punishment.

It was this challenge and Barcelona 's Brazilian superstar Neymar that

led to a straight red card being shown to Scott Brown and speaking

after the game, manager Neil Lennon gave his thoughts on the

sending-off. I did not think the initial tackle was a severe one. It

is a physical game. I don't think Neymar does himself any favours by

the way he behaves at times. I think the sending-off is called for and

unnecessary. UEFA had other thoughts and issued this date meant this

afternoon. -- issued this statement. Scott Brown has been instrumental in

Celtic 's unbeaten start in the Scottish premiership and he will be

able to play in domestic obligation as the ban is only for the Champions

League. The Parkhead club are appealing today's call by UEFA and

Brown will miss the double-header against Ajax and the home game

against Milan if they feel in their appeal.

Glasgow city carry Scotland's hopes in the women's Champions League.

They are at home to Standard Liege and the Thai is 2-2 after the first

leg. Our reporter Heather Dewar is at Petershill Park with a special

guest. Yes, that's right David - and what a

tasty encounter that could be/ Arsenal winning their second round

tie 11-1 today, so they cruise through to the last 16. Glasgow city

is looking to go through, but Standard Liege are standing in their

way. Tonight, Glasgow City will look to do the same - although it could

be a more difficult prospect. City defender Emma Black joins me now to

look ahead to the match. Emma, it's 2-2 from the first leg - two

precious away goals for you in a tricky tie. What are the main

challenges Standard Liege will pose tonight? We feel really prepared for

this. We let ourselves down last week. It was a draw and we got away

gold so it sets up nicely for this evening's game. They are a

counterattacking team, they will be physical against us and patient,

however we are well prepared as a team to match that. If you get

through this, you are up against Arsenal. Yes. The Battle of Britain.

The media have been building it up however we need to win tonight's

game before we can look ahead. It sounds as if it is going to be a

wonderful evening. Kick-off is at seven o'clock.

And you can listen to the match live on BBC Radio Scotland 810 medium

wave. Kick-off is at seven. Now, a look at what else is

happening across Scottish sport. Olympic silver medallist Michael

Jamieson's one of four Scots chosen to swim for Europe against the USA

next month in Glasgow. The event is called the "Duel in the Pool". It is

swimming's answer to golf's Ryder Cup.

Edinburgh Rugby's South African flanker Cornell du Preez wants to

play for Scotland. The 22-year-old has no Scots ancestry but could

qualify to play in three years' time under residency rules. We know the

rules. Every country has those rules so you go out there and be the best

player you can be and if that means you get capped for Scotland, you

have earned that. Scotland's footballers have risen 28

places in the FIFA rankings after beating Croatia. The Scots are up to

35th. Glasgow 2014 organisers are

considering moving the Commonwealth Games netball final from the SECC to

the Hydro. That could mean more tickets being made available.

Athletes Laura Muir and Jamie Bowie met young people from Shettleson

Harriers today. They were promoting the Team GB international taking

place in Glasgow in January. And there are more sports stories -

plus all the latest news, 24 hours a day, on BBC Sport Scotland's

website. No excuse for missing anything!

Thank you very much. As the weekend was near, let's see how the weather

is shaping up. Will we get rid of that rain?

A break from the rain tomorrow but it will be a brief one. It was a

fairly grey day today for many of us, the weather front has been

making a nuisance of itself, bringing outbreaks of rain across

Scotland and it will keep some of that going for a time this evening.

It makes some progress north-east word but then fizzled out, leaving a

lot of dry weather overnight. Some clear spells, some patchy mist,

temperatures seven to nine Celsius. By the end of the night, we see

winds freshening in the south-west and some more rain pushing into

Galloway. By tomorrow morning, the rain tries to make inroads from the

south-west but it feels pretty much bringing some rain to the hills, but

really across the country, some good advice built a model and decent

spells of sunshine if we take a closer look. Temperatures up to 13

Celsius in Stornoway. Another decent day for Orkney and Shetland, some

good spells of sunshine for Shetland, although here once again a

chilly day, eight Celsius. Some hazy sunshine for Inverness and Northern

Aberdeenshire, some spells of patchy rain for the hills of Aberdeenshire,

and, but not amounting to much for most of central and southern

Scotland. By this stage, some rain knocking on the door of the

south-west once again. Through tomorrow evening, the rain gets its

act together, marching across much of the country, turning heavy. We

will see winds at strengthening, touching deal for surround

south-western coasts and it is all down to this area of low pressure

spinning out in the Atlantic. The associated weather fronts stay with

us tomorrow night and into Saturday and we have got a Met Office be

aware warning for heavy rain for Angus. Generally, Saturday will be a

wet and windy day. On Sunday, the heaviest rain and strongest winds

are confined to the far north, elsewhere some sunshine but heavy,

blustery showers. That is the forecast.

Thanks. Now, a reminder of tonight's main news. The dispute at the

Grangemouth refinery has tonight deepened with both the management

and the union engaged in a bitter war of words. The Scottish and UK

governments have moved to reassure the public that there is no threat

to fuel supplies. and the union engaged in

British Gas has become the latest big energy supplier in a week to

announce a rise in its fuel prices this winter. Nearly eight million

households will be affected, with the average dual fuel bill set to

rise by more than 9%, adding more than ?120 to their annual bill.

Customers north of Perth will have to pay more.

A murder trial at the High Court in Glasgow has heard that the battered

body of a woman was found in a ladies' toilet in the Clyde

Auditorium by two delegates at a conference there. Security guard

Clive Carter admits killing Khanokporn Satjawat in November last

year, but denies murdering her. The England football manager Roy Hodgson

has apologised for using the phrase 'feed the monkey' to Andros Townsend

during the half time team talk as England beat Poland on Tuesday.

He says he meant no offence by the comment which he says was a punch

line to a joke. And that's Reporting Scotland. I'll

be back with the headlines at eight, and the late bulletin just after the

ten o'clock news. Goodbye.