More than 130 offshore jobs could be axed
Archer Drillers is planning redundancies.
An oil company is planning to axe 130 offshore jobs, it has been announced.
Archer Drillers is proposing the redundancies which will affect the Alba and Captain installations operated by Ithaca, and the Claymore Alpha, Piper Bravo and Roving Crew, which are all operated by Repsol.
Unite Scotland has reacted with anger to the move and questions why workers couldn't instead be furloughed using the UK Government Job Retention Scheme.
The scheme provides individuals 80% of wages up to a maximum of £2,500 per month from the Government effective from 1 March 2020 for a three-month period.
The trade union will now explore all legal options including the possibility of lodging unfair dismissal cases on behalf of the workers.
Unite Regional Officer, Shauna Wright, said: “Unite Scotland has been informed that Archer has shamefully decided not to utilise the government retention scheme for their workers.
"The company is looking to axe over 130 jobs through redundancy which is a devastating blow to a highly skilled workforce.
"We urge Archer to reverse this disgusting decision and to immediately look at how the government scheme can be used to support the workers during this difficult time by delaying the redundancies.
"If they don’t do the right thing then Unite will consider all actions in order to support the workforce including the possibility of lodging unfair dismissal cases on their behalf.”