Could North Sea workers walk out?
Unite are warning of possible industrial action over pay cuts and safety
There’s a fresh threat of industrial action in the North Sea.
It’s because of new proposals to further cut terms and conditions for Wood Group contractors on Shell’s platforms.
Unite say their members are seriously considering industrial action if the firm doesn’t backtrack.
But the union say it’s not just money which is a concerns – it’s safety as well.
Unite’s Scottish secretary Pat Rafferty said:
"Unite has long warned that the oil and gas industry is cutting too fast and too far. Lives and safety are being put at risk and workers have had enough.
"It is approaching thirty years since the horrific Piper Alpha disaster yet it seems that the oil and gas industry has learned little from the world’s worst offshore disaster where 167 workers lost their lives.
"Employers must not respond to the current downturn in this industry’s fortunes by putting people in a position of risk. When workers feel so frustrated as to take actions such as those taken today, it is because their concerns need to be listened to.
"I repeat our call for all involved in this vital industry to be brought together in an oil and gas summit so that safety standards are not the casualty of this downturn and that the potential for catastrophe is averted.
"Unite will be consulting with our members about their concerns and will consider what official industrial action may be necessary. But we say to the employers, do not delay in seeking to address the issues that demand immediate attention."
Wood Group have said:
‘We continuously review our resource requirements to meet our customer needs and drive efficiency and effectiveness in our service provision.
‘Wood Group PSN management is working closely with our employees impacted by these proposed measures, our client and the GMB and Unite unions during this period of consultation."
There’s going to be a meeting this Friday between Unite officials and Wood Group management.