Offshore workers disputes continue amid contractor pay deals

Unite the union announced today (14 June) that offshore workers employed by Petrofac on the FPF1 platform, and the Wood Group UK Limited on TAQA platforms will resume strike action next week.

Around 80 members working for the Wood Group UK Ltd will take 48-hour strike action beginning on 19 June in the first of a series of stoppages throughout June and July (see notes to editor).

In a separate dispute based on working rotas, around 50 Unite members employed by Petrofac Facilities Management Limited will also take a series of 24-hour stoppages on the FPF1 platform beginning on 21 June.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The trend is crystal clear. Offshore workers are taking a stand and they are winning better jobs, pay and conditions. Unite’s members at Petrofac and the Wood Group will have their union’s full support in the latest phase of their strike action.”

Unite is demanding the reinstatement of a 10 per cent cut to salaries made by the Wood Group in 2015 worth around £7,000 a year, and an enhanced redundancy and retention scheme.

The action includes electrical, production and mechanical technicians along with pipefitters, platers, riggers and deck crew working on the TAQA platforms - Cormorant Alpha, North Cormorant and Tern Alpha.

The dispute involving Unite’s Petrofac members is based on the operator Ithaca Energy having a ‘clawback’ policy of 14 days, which is the financial equivalent to £6,000 lost income per person. This policy is significantly above the industry norm of 7 days.

The strike action includes electrical, production and mechanical technicians in addition to deck crew, scaffolders and crane operators. 

John Boland, Unite industrial officer, added: “Unite’s Petrofac members on the FPF1 platform, and Wood Group members on TAQA platforms are absolutely determined to fight on. These disputes are based on the failure by both the contractors and operators to provide a good working environment. Whether that relates to salary cuts, working rotas or enforcing draconian clawback days, these companies can well afford to do far more and Unite will hold them to account.”

Last week, Unite confirmed that over 700 offshore members at Bilfinger UK Limited accepted an improved wage offer bringing the pay dispute to an end.

Unite’s Bilfinger members accepted a further 6 per cent increase on basic pay in addition to the 4 per cent rise in January 2023. With other uplifts made by Bilfinger in November 2022, the increase in basic pay has been lifted by up to 19 per cent for some members in less than a year.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Wood TAQA (Cormorant Alpha, North Cormorant, Tern Alpha)

19th June 2023 – 48 hour strike from 6am.

28th June 2023 – 48 hour strike from 6am.

3rd July 2023 – 48 hour strike from 6am.

12th July 2023 – 48 hour strike from 6am.

 

Petrofac Ithaca (FPF1)

21st June 2023 – 24 hour strike from 6am.

23rd June 2023 – 24 hour strike from 6am.

26th June 2023 – 24 hour strike from 6am.

28th June 2023 – 24 hour strike from 6am.

30th June 2023 – 24 hour strike from 6am.

10th July 2023 – 24 hour strike from 6am.

12th July 2023 – 24 hour strike from 6am.

14th July 2023 – 24 hour strike from 6am.