Industry body Oil and Gas UK (OGUK) yesterday dismissed a report ordered by an alliance of trade unions on the potential dangers of offshore rota changes to the North Sea workforce.
The Offshore Co-ordinating Group (OCG), which commissioned the report, called on operators to stop moving offshore workers to 3:3 rotas until further research was undertaken.
The report, by Dr Robert Stewart and the Scottish Centre for Employment Research (SCER), admitted that while it could not make “clear conclusions” about whether working regular three-week tours posed significant health and safety risks, it said that “there are suggestions this may indeed be the case”.
Politicians and industry chiefs pledged to work alongside the newly-formed Offshore Co-ordinating Group (OCG) in its crusade to protect North Sea jobs.
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said was “absolutely imperative” for the Scottish Government to listen to trade unions.
Mr Ewing said: “Just this morning, I was agreeing with Grahame Smith that one way the industry can increase efficiency is by listening very carefully to the workforce offshore.
Making sure operators do not bully supply chain companies is a vital part of the battle to safeguard the North Sea’s workforce, union bosses said yesterday.
They were speaking at the launch of the Offshore Co-ordinating Group (OCG), an alliance of five trade unions which vowed to lead the fightback on job losses, pay cuts, safety and unilateral changes to terms and conditions for workers.
It comprises Unite, RMT, GMB, Balpa and Nautilus, many of which have been embroiled in disputes with employers over these issues since the oil price collapsed.
Five unions have today joined forces in the battle to safeguard the North Sea’s workforce.
The Offshore Co-ordinating Group (OCG) will “lead the fightback” on job losses, pay cuts, safety and terms and conditions for workers.
It comprises Unite, RMT, GMB, Balpa and Nautilus, many of which have been embroiled in disputes with employers over these issues since the oil price started to slide.
