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Unite sets strike dates for North Sea platforms

February 26, 2019, by Offshore Energy Today

Scottish workers’ union Unite Scotland has set dates for industrial action on three UK North Sea platforms following last week’s vote by 200 members.

Dunbar platform / Image source: KCA Deutag
Dunbar platform / Image source: KCA Deutag

Unite has said that the dispute has arisen due to Aker and Petrofac proposing to change the shift rotation from 2:3 to a 3:3/3:4 rotation, and to reduce the existing terms and conditions at the direction of parent company Total.

Unite last Friday said 200 of its members voted as follows: the Elgin-Franklin platform voted by 88.2% for industrial action; Shetland Gas Plant by 95.1%, and North Alwyn and Dunbar platforms by 93.9%. At the time, the company did not say when the industrial action might take place.

Unite Scotland then on Tuesday, via series of Tweets, called on all of its members on the Elgin-Franklin Platform, & and on the North Alwyn & Dunbar platforms, “to take part in a continuous ban on overtime commencing at 00:01 on 11th March 2019.”

“In addition, we call upon all our members at the Shetland Gas Plant to take part in strike action consisting of a series of 24hr stoppages commencing at 00:01 on 13th March, 27th March, 10th April, 27th April, & 8th May.”

“We also call upon all our members on the Elgin-Franklin Platform, & upon all our members on the North Alwyn & Dunbar Platforms, to take part in strike action consisting of a series of 24hr stoppages commencing at 07:00 on 11th March, 27th March & 12th April, Unite further said.

“Finally, we call upon all our members on the Elgin-Franklin Platform, & upon all our members on the North Alwyn & Dunbar Platforms, to take part in a series of 3hr stoppages at 07.00 & 19.00 on the following : 18th March, 20th March, 22nd March, 1st April, 3rd April & 5th April.”

As previously reported, John Boland, Unite regional industrial officer, said: “Aker and Petrofac, at Total’s bidding, are trying to force our members’ rotas being changed from 2:3 to the hated 3:3 or 3:4. Shamefully, workers are also being frozen out of the existing competency scheme that rewarded members for being more skilled and was a route to progression.”

“During this dispute, Aker and Petrofac have tried to split our members by offering uplifts to some but not all. However, Unite members have resolutely resisted these shameful attempts. The resounding votes across all three platforms demonstrate clearly that our members not only want to stay on their existing rota, but if they have to change they want fair compensation, and to retain the existing competency scheme.”