GMB Scotland officers are seeking permission from GMB Scotland Regional Committee to move to ballot members covered by the Offshore Contractors Agreement over possible strike action following unilateral changes to working conditions.
This follows lack of progress when GMB and Unite met with representatives of the Offshore Contractors Association (OCA) on 13 February in London to further discuss the crisis in the North Sea caused by the decline in oil prices.
OE received statments from OCA Chief Executive Bill Murray:
“We are in a challenging time for the North Sea oil and gas industry. For some time we have experienced unsustainable levels of cost inflation and whilst recognition of the need to reduce this is not new the dramatic fall in the price of oil has accelerated the need to address this. The industry is now facing a particular dilemma where operators are looking to reduce costs promptly, especially for those with operations where costs are outstripping revenue. The need for productivity enhancements and efficient working is well understood by the industry, and was highlighted to Union Negotiators in talks in December. These talks are ongoing. Further meetings between OCA, Unite and GMB are scheduled to commence on 25 February."
The Offshore Contractors Association is the body for offshore contractors based in Scotland. The agreement covers members working in mechanical, electrical and allied services, construction, modifications and maintenance work, design and project engineering, fabrication and decommissioning.
John Kelly, GMB Scotland Regional Officer, said” "There is a 'blatant opportunism' on the part of some of the oil companies and contractors in seeking to fundamentally attack the terms and conditions of our members employed in the offshore industry.
There are also major concerns over the proposed changes to shift rotas and the health and safety implications that could follow from a major change. GMB believes that any changes to rotas could have a serious impact on the safety of those working offshore and we urge the companies to rethink the proposals.
My next step is to report to GMB Scotland Regional Committee. I intend to seek permission to consult members as to what response they want to see the union taking including a ballot for industrial action if the companies do not pull back on unilateral cuts."
Murray went on to say that the talk of strike action is premature.
“The failure to agree on Friday concerns a particular issue going through our disputes procedure in support of one of our member companies who have been compelled at short notice to change rota pattern because the Operator of the installation on which they are working has switched to a 3on/3off rota pattern. Unite have complained that there was insufficient consultation on the change. Talk of strike action is premature.”
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