North Sea Workers Reject Shift-Changes

The threat of industrial action in the North Sea oil and gas industry has increased after workers rejected planned changes to shifts and terms and conditions.

Unite said its members voted by almost 2-1 against plans to move to a three-on / three-off shift pattern, with a variable pay offer to mitigate the impact on terms and conditions caused by the changes to working-time arrangements.

Unite industrial officer Willie Wallace said: We said previously that our members would have the final say and they are clear that the offer isn't good enough.

North Sea employers must do more to address the deep concerns our members have over these shift pattern changes - from loss of earnings and livelihoods to the impact on workplace health and safety and quality of life.

We are not blind to the challenges facing the industry, indeed we are acutely aware of it because the human cost of the downturn is clear in the deep cuts to our members' incomes and livelihoods.

However, the lesson the industry has to take from this process is that it must consult and engage with our members in a far more meaningful manner and that any changes impacting lives and livelihoods should not be imposed.''

The planned changes were prompted by the fall in oil prices. Unite will now hold consultations in the coming days before deciding its next move. Its members work for oil and gas contractors in the North Sea.

Members of the GMB are also being balloted on the planned changes.