Unite the Union has today (5 July) announced a series of strike
days on the North Sea oil and gas platforms operated by Total
E&P. Following the overwhelming mandate for industrial
action, there will be a series of 24 hours and 12 hours stoppages
on the three platforms affected (Alwyn, Dunbar and
Elgin), all of which will be forced to cease
production.
There will also be a continuous ban on overtime commencing at
00.01 hours on 23 July. The dispute concerns the company’s wage
review and its plans to force workers to increase their offshore
working time. A report by Robert Gordon University identified
that workers on three-week, equal-time rotas were nearly twice as
likely to experience ill health as those on two-on-two-off
shifts. The three on/three off rota pattern is now worked by 56
per cent of the workforce offshore, compared with just 17 per
cent working the same pattern in 2007
24 Hour Stoppages
• Starting at 06.00 hours on
23 July, 6 August and 20 August.
12 Hour Stoppages
• Starting at 12.00 hours on
30 July and 13 August.
Unite regional officer Wullie Wallace said: “The
overwhelming vote in favour of strike action demonstrates the
fury at Total’s proposals to impose changes to the working
practices and conditions on its three platforms. There remains a
closing window of opportunity for Total to behave responsibly and
engage with Unite to revise its current offer. However, if Total
does not wish to negotiate, then they will be left in no
uncertain terms of the strength of feeling of Unite members which
will lead to widespread disruption of the company’s
operations.”
Unite members employed at Total’s Shetland gas plant have also
voted for industrial action in a dispute over changes to their
rota system.
