UK union Unite introduced that round 350 offshore employees are “touring in direction of strike motion in disputes with offshore operators and corporations”, in a press release despatched to Rigzone by the Unite staff just lately.
Staff employed by Repsol, CNOOC, and MCL Medics are all concerned in strike ballots or forthcoming industrial motion on offshore platforms, Unite highlighted within the assertion.
“Over 200 Repsol employees have rejected a number of unacceptable pay presents with the newest amounting to a 3 per cent enhance in fundamental pay,” the union stated within the assertion.
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“Unite can verify its membership has emphatically backed strike by 92.1 per cent after rejecting the newest pay provide,” it added.
The union famous within the assertion that industrial motion is now set to hit Repsol’s Arbroath, AUK, Bleoholm, Claymore, Clyde, Fulmer, Montrose, and Piper Bravo property “in a sequence of stoppages”. Unite stated a at some point strike will start at 06:00 on August 6, 13, and 28 and added {that a} additional stoppage will happen on September 4. A steady time beyond regulation ban may also be in operation, based on the assertion.
The union claimed within the assertion that “the influence of commercial motion will result in the shutting down of platforms as the employees concerned embrace management room operators, supervisors, electricians, technicians, mechanics and HSE advisors”.
An additional 130 CNOOC employees are being balloted on industrial motion in a dispute over jobs, pay, and situations on the Buzzard, Scott, and Golden Eagle platforms, Unite stated within the assertion, noting that a number of presents regarding pay and allowances have been rejected by the employees, with the newest amounting to a 4.25 p.c enhance in fundamental pay.
The union highlighted within the assertion {that a} poll on industrial motion opened on July 25 and can shut August 28.
“Unite believes that the influence of any industrial motion will result in the shutting down of CNOOC’s platforms as the employees concerned cowl comparable roles to these employed by Repsol,” Unite stated within the assertion.
The union went on to notice that, “in one other escalating dispute over pay ranges and coaching allowances, round 20 offshore medics who present lifesaving providers are being balloted on strike motion”.
Unite identified that the poll opened final week and can shut on August 26. The MCL Medics work on the Armada, Britannia, Jasmine, Judy, Lomond, North Everest property owned by Harbour Power, the union revealed within the assertion.
MCL Medics up to now haven’t had any formal fundamental pay provide, based on the assertion, which stated the medics are legally required and important to the operation of any offshore platform.
“Our members are being compelled into strike motion as a consequence of a sequence of unacceptable pay presents made by firms who can simply afford to pay extra,” Unite common secretary Sharon Graham stated within the assertion.
“Staff are watching firms rack up eye watering income however their exhausting work is just not being rewarded. Unite will absolutely again our offshore employees combating for higher jobs, pay and situations,” Graham added.
“A number of rounds of strikes involving Repsol employees will happen following the rejection of meagre pay presents. CNOOC and MCL medics who’re important to Harbour Power’s offshore platforms are additionally being compelled in direction of strike motion due to their employer’s intransigence,” Graham continued.
“There’s nonetheless time to resolve these disputes and we’d urge these firms to get again around the negotiating desk earlier than platforms are delivered to a standstill,” the union’s common secretary went on to state.
Rigzone contacted Repsol, CNOOC, MCL Medics, and Harbour Power for touch upon Unite’s assertion.
In response, a Repsol spokesperson advised Rigzone, “Repsol regularly assessment the remuneration of our offshore workforce and help truthful compensation aligned with the market”.
“We’re disillusioned by the latest developments concerning the Unite union members’ vote, however we absolutely respect the best of our workforce to take strike motion. Repsol stays dedicated to progressing constructive discussions to succeed in a decision,” the spokesperson added.
A CNOOC spokesperson advised Rigzone, “we’re disillusioned that members of our offshore workforce within the UK are being balloted for industrial motion and stay dedicated to constructive dialogue with Unite to seek out an amicable decision”.
Harbour Power directed Rigzone to MCL Medics. MCL Medics has not responded to Rigzone on the time of writing.
To contact the creator, e mail andreas.exarheas@rigzone.com
