Shell gears up for North Sea strike with week-on-week contracts
Oil major Shell is preparing back-up staff in case of the first North Sea strike action in a generation.
Oil major Shell is preparing back-up staff in case of the first North Sea strike action in a generation.
Wood Group said it was "extremely disappointed" with the outcome of a ballot by employees working on Shell assets on whether to take strike action.
Oil workers could strike today for the first time in a generation after talks broke down between unions and Wood Group.
Unite has set up a strike fund, which has grown to £35 million, to finance industrial disputes.
Talks aimed at resolving a pay dispute involving North Sea workers have broken down.
Talks between unions and Wood Group over North Sea pay cuts came to a grinding halt today.
Unite today called for an emergency meeting "to hammer out an action plan to save the offshore oil and gas industry".
Offshore unions have launched a ballot for industrial action on Wood Group over pay and conditions.
North Sea workers are to be balloted for strikes in a dispute over pay with oil services giant Wood Group.
Wood Group has said it is considering revisions to the terms and conditions proposed for employees working on Shell platforms in the North Sea.
The boss of industry body Oil and and Gas UK has moved to clarify comments she made to MPs after angry oil workers objected to her claiming they "get it" about why cost cutting measures are being taken by companies.
Union representatives have met Wood Group to discuss the proposed changes to pay and conditions proposed by the company last month.
Union bosses today called on the UK Government to revisit its decision to refuse a public inquiry into offshore helicopter safety.
Unite, the UK's biggest offshore trade union, warned the Wood Group's contractor rate cuts will deepen a “race to the bottom” on North Sea employment standards.
Offshore union RMT has warned of long-term damage to Britain’s energy industry after BP posted its largest annual loss for 20 years and revealed another 3,000 job losses as it continued to hack back on budgets in the face of global turmoil.
Fears over a strike in the North Sea by oil workers have been halted after negotiations between the Offshore Contractors’ Association and unions paid off. More than half of members balloted from Unite agreed to the latest offer from the members companies, including Wood Group PSN and Amec Foster Wheeler.
Energy Voice examines some of the key points in the lengthy dispute between the Offshore Contractors Association and Unite union.
The OCA's (Offshore Contractors Association) chief executive Bill Murray said a vote by unions in favour of an offer would allow companies and employees to "move forward" after a year-long dispute.
Unite workers have voted to accept improved holiday entitlement and a joint review of "three on, three off" from by more than 50% of those balloted.
A ballot on whether North Sea workers should accept new conditions put forward by member companies of the OCA (Offshore Contractors Association) will close tomorrow. It comes after revised proposals were put forward after talks were held with Unite, the OCA and ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service).
Offshore caterers have agreed to accept an improved pay offer from the Catering Offshore Trade Association (COTA) averting strike action.
Offshore caterers have said the pay offer made to workers is the best they can do, as the threat of a strike remains.
North Sea strike action by catering and auxiliary workers has been put on hold by Unite after a new offer from COTA (Caterers Offshore Trade Association). The decision comes after tentative talks were held last week between employers and members of Unite and RMT. A consultative ballot will now run as the new offer is put on the table for union members.
Talks between unions and COTA (Caterers Offshore Trade Association) will be held today in a bid to reach an agreement over potential strike action. Last month both Unite and RMT members were balloted on whether to take industrial action. Offshore catering and auxiliary workers are in dispute with COTA after it said it would not be honouring the second year of a pay deal worth around 1.3%.
Crunch talks will take place between unions and COTA (Catering Offshore Trade Association) in a bid to prevent the first North Sea strike in more than a generation. The body, which represents six catering companies working in the UKCS, has been in dispute with staff after it said it would not be honouring the second year of a pay deal worth around 1.3%. The talks will be held next week. Earlier this month 54.2% of Unite members voted for strike action while 62.&% voted for action short of a strike.