Engineering news
Hundreds of North Sea workers have gone on strike for 24 hours over plans to cut up to 30% of their pay and allowances. It is the first industrial action of its kind in the offshore oil and gas industry in 28 years.
Members of the RMT and Unite unions employed by the Wood Group on Shell platforms walked out at 06:30.
About 400 workers are involved in the action, as well as a ban on overtime, with further stoppages planned for the coming weeks.
The seven Shell platforms involved in the industrial action are Shearwater, Gannet, Nelson, Curlew, Brent Alpha, Brent Bravo and Brent Charlie. There was also a protest at Shell offices in London.
The industrial action follows talks at conciliation service Acas.
John Boland, Unite regional officer, said: “To say we are disappointed it has had to come to this is an understatement, but bosses at Wood Group are simply not listening.
“Our members have been faced with changes to shift patterns which have seen them working longer offshore for the same pay and as well as having three rounds of redundancies imposed on them. This attack on their pay and allowances has pushed our members too far this time.
“For decades, oil and gas companies across the North Sea have made hay while the sun shone and become very profitable on the back of the hard work and dedication of our members. Now the weather has turned for the industry, they are using the downturn to attack the pay, terms and conditions of our members.”
RMT general secretary Mick Cash added: “We are well aware that the company chief executive has had a pay increase of 28% to bring him up to £600,000. It is obscene that while the top bosses are lining their own pockets they are kicking the workforce from pillar to post.
“This brave group of workers are taking a stand against the greed and savagery that is a mark of corporate Britain in 2016. They deserve the full support of the entire trade union movement.
“The unions remain available for serious and meaningful talks.”
Dave Stewart, chief executive for Wood Group’s eastern region business unit, said the company is “extremely disappointed” that industrial action will be taken. He said: “Our firm focus remains on reaching a resolution, which meets our mutual goal of sustaining these jobs for our employees in the North Sea now and in the future, against the backdrop of an extremely challenging climate created by the sustained low oil price.”
“We are continuing to engage frequently, proactively and openly with our employees and the unions. We met with union representatives on Friday and senior management have visited impacted installations over the weekend to talk with our people, with the clear aim of positively progressing discussions towards reaching a resolution.”
The Offshore Contractors Association has urged both sides to return to the negotiating table.