Emphatic mandate for action as 100 per cent vote yes to strike

Unite the union confirmed that its Worley Services UK members are the latest group of offshore workers to demand a better deal on jobs, pay and conditions in the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS).

100 per cent of over 50 workers including pipefitters, riggers, deck crew, platers along with electrical and mechanical technicians voted in support of strike action in a ballot turnout of 75 per cent. 

Unite members are as part of the dispute demanding a better deal on jobs, pay and conditions including a base rate increase of £7 per hour, and standby payments to be 12-hours full pay. The workers are based on Harbour Energy platforms; Britannia, Jade, Judy and Jasmine.  

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is another emphatic vote with Unite’s members working for Worley Services supporting strike action. Unite has warned of a tsunami of industrial unrest in the offshore sector due to the corporate greed of oil and gas operators and contractors. 

“This is a sector that can well afford to pay fairly.  Unite will back our 1500 offshore members who are preparing to strike to ensure that these employers do just that.”

The latest offshore vote in support of industrial action means oil and gas operators and contractors could face a ‘tsunami’ of industrial action. Unite estimates that around 1500 offshore workers could be on strike within weeks.

The prospective strike action includes Bilfinger UK Limited, Stork construction, Petrofac Facilities Management, the Wood Group UK Limited and Sparrows Offshore Services.

Unite industrial officer John Boland, added: “Unite has received another emphatic mandate in support of industrial action. Worley Services are making the same futile mistake as other contractors who refuse to make a fair offer to their workers. Now these offshore workers based on Harbour Energy platforms are set become part of a 1500 strong army set to take offshore corporate greed head-on to secure better jobs, pay and conditions.”    

Unite recently blasted the UK Government's inaction on taxing oil firms as BP posted the biggest profits in its history as it doubled to £23 billion in 2022. BP’s bonanza profits come after Shell reports earnings of £32 billion, bringing the combined total profits of the top two energy companies in Britain to a record £55 billion.

ENDS