Total staff on three platforms vote in favour of strike action in pay and rota row

Members of the Unite union employed by Total E&P working on North Sea oil and gas platforms are set to begin industrial action next month in a dispute over pay and working hours.

If strike action goes ahead Unite believes that the three platforms affected, Alwin, Dunbar and Elgin, will be forced to cease production.

The dispute concerns the company’s wage review and its plans to force workers to increase their offshore working time.

The membership voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action and 100% are in favour of industrial action short of strike.

Unite is currently in the process of consulting members about what type of industrial action will be called and when. Dates for industrial action are expected to be announced early next week, with strikes beginning in July.

Unite regional officer Wullie Wallace said: “The overwhelming vote in favour of strike action demonstrates our members’ anger at Total’s proposals.

“Our members simply want to be properly paid for the work they undertake in a dangerous and difficult environment.

“Total’s plans to force workers to spend even longer offshore would drive a coach and horses through workers’ work/life balance and would result in them spending even less time with family, friends and loved ones. This raises serious health and wellbeing concerns.

“There is still time for industrial action to be avoided and Unite’s door remains open if Total is prepared to make a renewed offer and return to the negotiating table.”

Jean-Luc Guiziou, Managing Director of Total E&P UK, said:

“Our workforce at the Shetland Gas Plant and on the Elgin, Alwyn and Dunbar platforms do a very good job and I want this dispute resolved. I know from talking to our workforce that we can find a negotiated solution. We have started a structured process of meetings and workshops that will hopefully allow us to reach a consensus. By moving to a 3/3 rota, we’ll be in a much stronger place to grow our business and enhance operational excellence as we emerge from the recent downturn. However I also believe that we will only move forward together, so I look forward to a constructive dialogue with our offshore staff and their representatives.”