Offshore unions backed by TUC
The TUC has backed a motion calling for a concerted campaign to resist "commercial pressures" that offshore unions say could erode safety standards, cut jobs and training.
Unite
Union set to protest at Offshore Europe
Union members are poised to protest at Offshore Europe today. Unite the Union have planned the move following a dispute with offshore catering companies. Trade union bosses have accused offshore catering firms of "point blank"refusing to honour a 1.3% pay rise that had been agreed for the year.
Unite members playing “dangerous game” with strike threat
Offshore members of the Unite union have been warned they are playing a dangerous game if they vote for strike action over pay and conditions.
Unite seeks U-turn on North Sea ‘copters decision
The Unite union has called on the UK Government to “urgently revisit” the recommendation of the previous parliament’s transport select committee for a public inquiry into offshore helicopter safety.
GMB urges Unite and OCA to agree offshore worker pay deal
The GMB trade union has urged its counterpart, Unite, and North Sea industry chiefs to return to the negotiating table and hammer out a pay deal for offshore workers. The appeal follows yesterday’s announcement from GMB that its offshore members had voted to accept the same offer from employers that Unite members rejected last week. It is understood there was a clear majority from GMB in favour of accepting the offer from the Offshore Contractors Association (OCA), which has 10 full members including Petrofac, Wood Group PSN and Stork.
Unions reject OCA proposals over offshore working conditions
Unions have rejected proposals offered by the Offshore Contractors Association (OCA) for North Sea workers in a move which could increase the chance on industrial action in the North Sea. Both GMB and Unite were balloted on whether to accept a new deal put on the table last month. The result of the ballot from Unite members was 63.5% against and 36.5% in favour. It is understood the union will be consulting with members in coming days following the decision. It is understood GMB voted in favour of the proposals but as the union had fewer members balloted their vote has been outweighed by Unite. The OCA's chief executive Bill Murray said it was "extremely disappointed" by the move.
Decision day looms for balloted union workers in OCA negotiations
A decision by union members over whether to accept an offer of proposals from the Offshore Contractors Association (OCA) will be made today. Both Unite and GMB workers will vote yes or no after months of talks between representatives from both sides. It comes after the GMB union wrote to members last month and urged them to accept a new offer from the OCA, which has 10 full members, including Petrofac, Wood Group PSN and Stork.
GMB and Unite urge government to help bring oil jobs to Stornoway
Unions have called on the Scottish Government to support a manufacturing yard in Stornoway at risk of being mothballed. The GMB and Unite have written to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon asking for support to attract contracts to the Arnish yard. The fabrication yard is operated by Burntisland Fabrications (BiFab), which also operates two yards in Fife.
MP intervenes to get caterers and unions talking again
Aberdeen South SNP MP Callum McCaig called on the Caterers Offshore Trade Association (Cota) to restart talks with unions over a staff pay deal. In April, Cota announced it was withdrawing its 2015/16 pay offer, worth around 2% and part of a two-year pay agreement. Unite and RMT remained “keen to engage” with the association, Mr McCaig said, adding he had written to Cota asking for a meeting with the unions as soon as possible.
Exclusive: Archer to reduce jobs in North Sea operations
Drilling company Archer is in consultation with its staff about redundancies on a number of its North Sea operations. The move will affect offshore employees on the Shell Brent Alpha, Bravo and Delta as well as staff known as the “roving crew” according to documents seen by Energy Voice. In a letter to staff, Archer said the redundancies had been caused by the oil major Shell’s announcement it would be ceasing operations on its Brent Delta Rig.