Hundreds of North Sea workers to be balloted on strike action
Unite says the dispute centres on Odfjell’s refusal to reform working rotas and provide paid annual leave
Hundreds of North Sea oil and gas workers with Unite will be balloted on strike action in a dispute over schedules and pay.
The dispute involves drillers, electricians, mechanics, and materials controllers on Equinor’s Mariner unit and TAQA units.
The ballot which runs for five weeks opens today and closes on December 7, with strike action taking place early next year if the ballots are successful.
Unite says the dispute centres on Odfjell’s refusal to reform working rotas and provide paid annual leave. Unite says the dispute centres on Odfjell’s refusal to reform working rotas and provide paid annual leave.
It says drillers are currently work three weeks on and three weeks off, which leaves them at a disadvantage compared with other offshore workers on the installations operated by Equinor and TAQA.
It adds that operator staff, caterers and construction workers all work on a rota of two weeks on and three off.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Drillers are amongst the hardest working people in the offshore sector. They also have to confront some of the most hazardous and dangerous environments, so the Odfjell drillers fully deserve to be paid the same time off as other offshore workers.”
“It’s a scandal that Odfjell along with the operators Equinor and TAQA refuse to change their working rotas to put the drillers on the same footing as other workers on the installations.
Unite will support our members every step of the way in the fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”
We’ve reached out to Odfjell for comment.