Offshore staff
LONDON — Scotland's Unite the Union has signed a recognition deal with offshore operator CNOOC Petroleum Europe Ltd. (CNOOC).
The voluntary agreement negotiated with CNOOC covers about 140 workers on the Buzzard, Scott and Golden Eagle platforms.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “This is a significant recognition deal for our members working for CNOOC. It comes at a time when there is widespread industrial unrest in the offshore sector due to unfettered corporate profiteering. We believe our offshore members’ determination to secure better jobs, pay and conditions is striking a chord. Offshore operators and contractors must see that there is a better way to treat their workforce, and if they do not, then Unite will hold them to account.”
Last week about 1,200 contractors resumed 48-hour strike action (May 10-12) in an increasingly bitter dispute over jobs, pay and conditions in the offshore sector, Unite reported.
John Boland, Unite industrial officer, said, “This is a really significant recognition agreement signed with CNOOC. It is only the second recognition agreement we have secured with an offshore operator. We believe it comes at a time when our members’ resolve is resonating across the offshore sector. Corporations are sitting up and taking notice. Unite hopes this positive development will lead to other operators following a similar path as CNOOC.”
Buzzard is located about 100 km northeast of Aberdeen, UK, the Golden Eagle platform is located about 111 km northeast of Aberdeen and the Scott asset is located about 185 km northeast of Aberdeen.
05.18.2023
