Union activists at the Grangemouth oil refinery won a breakthrough agreement yesterday, clawing back agreements lost after a defeat in their pensions battle last year.

The site was the scene of a vicious attack on union organisation last year when owner Ineos locked workers out and suspended the convener of their union Unite.

After the workers voted strongly for strike action Ineos threatened to shut the refinery, a move which would have severely affected Scotland's economy, and the staff were threatened with redundancy.

Unite accepted a deal for a return to work.

Since then the union has been negotiating with Ineos and has now achieved an agreement on union organisation at the refinery which it hails as "a positive step."

It includes direct access to new employees for recruitment purposes and restoration of a "check off" system so union subscriptions can be paid direct from wages.

"This is a positive step forward. Unite will continue to represent the interests of our members at the Grangemouth complex," said Unite Scotland secretary Pat Rafferty.

"We remain extremely concerned about the exodus of experienced workers from Grangemouth and the impact this has on health and safety, but expect that this step will lead to much more constructive discussions on site."

Last year bosses withdrew the final-salary pension scheme, forced a three-year no-strike agreement on workers and abolished the role of full-time union conveners in return for keeping the refinery open.

Ineos had prepared for its attack on the pension scheme by stockpiling oil supplies for use in the event of a strike.

The complex on the Firth of Forth is the only crude oil refinery in Scotland.

It supplies petrol across Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland.

"The workforce now has an active trade union through which they can raise issues such as health and safety which are central to the future success of Grangemouth," said Unite lead negotiator Jim Mowatt.

"This agreement ensures that the workforce continues to have an independent voice and once again gives new starters the opportunity to access the benefits, facilities and protections which Unite provides from day one."