WORKERS on a number of Shell installations in the North Sea are taking part in a 24-hour strike over continuing changes to their pay and conditions.
About 400 members of the Unite and RMT unions employed by Wood Group yesterday launched an overtime ban as the long-running dispute showed some signs of spreading.
Union officials say pay and allowances could be cut by as much as 30 per cent following the downturn in the industry.
RMT regional organiser Jake Molloy told The National that no work would be carried out on the affected installations and the workers’ mood was determined.
“They’re strong, resilient and there’s still a lot of frustration and resentment,” he said. “You can’t keep cutting and cutting everything other than hours and not expect some reaction at some stage. Rounds of cuts and redundancies have taken their toll and enough is enough as far as the guys are concerned.”
He said those taking part in the stoppage today would turn up for the start of their shifts, but would not work. “They’ll go to a designated area in the accommodation of the installations and they’ll remain there for the period of their shifts – and that will be it. It’s a different environment to anything you’d experience onshore. You can’t walk out through the gates and go for a beer, or go home and sit with the family, for instance.
“They are there for the duration and there are people who will carry on working – there will be obvious banter but there won’t be any picket lines or the like.”
Oilman James Furie said on social media that the overtime ban had started well, adding: “Guys on other platforms are telling supervisors they don’t want overtime either. We have lots of messages coming in from across the trade union movement and wider community in support of the boys. Those undertaking the action seem positive and strong, which is good for the week ahead, and one says there’s is a strong possibility this may spread now to other installations.”
Eight Shell installations will be affected by the strike, although it is not clear what, if any, affect it will have on production.
A Shell spokesman said: “This action is highly regrettable. Shell’s priority is to ensure the safety of our workforce and assets and we will not compromise on safety during this period of industrial action.
“While we recognise the right of Wood Group’s employees to strike, it is clear that in order for the North Sea oil and gas industry to remain competitive in the lower oil price environment, structural change is needed. We hope that Wood Group’s employees and management will continue working towards reaching a solution which will halt this counter-productive industrial action.”
Dave Stewart, CEO for Wood Group’s eastern region business unit added: “Although we are extremely disappointed that industrial action will be taken, we respect the right of those employees who choose to do so.
“Our firm focus remains on reaching a resolution which meets our mutual goal of sustaining these jobs for our employees in the North Sea now and in the future, against the backdrop of an extremely challenging climate created by the sustained low oil price.
“We are continuing to engage frequently, proactively and openly with our employees and the unions.
“We met with union representatives on Friday, and senior management have visited impacted installations over the weekend to talk with our people, with the clear aim of positively progressing discussions towards reaching a resolution.”
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