RMT says striking North Sea workers 'solid and determind'
North Sea workers are said to be ''standing solid and determined'' as they staged further strike action over plans to cut their pay and allowances.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union and Unite, employed by the Wood Group on Shell platforms, are involved in two three-hour stoppages on Thursday.
It comes after about 400 workers held the first 24-hour strike in almost 30 years on Tuesday, with further three-hour stoppages planned for the coming weeks.
Officials say workers' pay and allowances could be cut by as much as 30% following the downturn in the industry.
Workers with the unions were instructed to down tools from 6.30am to 9.30am on Thursday, and again from 6.30pm to 9.30pm the same day.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: ''RMT members are standing solid and determined in the second day of strike action in response to savage attacks on pay and working conditions by the Wood Group across their Shell-operated assets. The workforce is united in a fight which is drawing in huge support from across the global trade union movement and we welcome the assistance of the International Transport Federation in mobilising that support for the RMT and Unite members fighting for pay justice on the platforms today.''
The union also welcomed support for the action in a motion tabled in the Scottish Parliament by Labour MSP Elaine Smith.
Calling for the company to withdraw their plans, Mr Cash added: ''The threat of pay cuts of up to 30%, while the company bosses are raking it in, has triggered this dispute, which is yet another indictment of the state of corporate Britain today.''
Wood Group has not commented specifically on Thursday's action.
Dave Stewart, chief executive of its eastern region business unit, said earlier: ''Our employees' safety and well-being remains our top priority and our commitment is to ensuring it is not compromised during industrial action. Although we are extremely disappointed that industrial action will be taken, we respect the right of those employees who choose to do so. 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.''