Offshore staff
ABERDEEN, UK — More than 300 offshore drilling and contract maintenance workers employed by Archer, Maersk, Transocean and Odfjell on the UK Continental Shelf have backed strike action, according to Unite the Union, after rejecting a 5% pay offer.
The pay dispute involves personnel covered by the UK Drilling Contractors Association (UKDCA).
Unite said 95% supported strike action in a ballot turnout of 86%. This will lead to a series of 48-hour stoppages every second week for the first eight weeks, with the action starting on Oct. 20 and 21.
Further stoppages are scheduled for Nov. 3-4, Nov. 17-18, Dec. 1-2 and Dec. 15-16, with the potential for a subsequent escalation to full strike action.
Unite members also supported action short of a strike. This could take the form of an overtime ban from Oct. 18 limiting the working day to 12 hours; no extra cover provided during scheduled field breaks; and the withdrawal of goodwill pre- and post-tour briefings preventing handovers between shifts.
The prospective industrial action will affect the following rigs and platforms: Alba North, Beryl Alpha, Beryl, Brae Alpha, Brent Alpha, Captain WPP, Clair, Clair Ridge, Claymore, Cormorant Alpha, Forties Alpha, Forties Delta, Maersk Innovator, Maersk Resolve, Magnus, Mariner, North Cormorant, Paul B Loyd Jnr, Piper Bravo, Tern Alpha, and Topaz/Cormorant Alpha.
Companies impacted are Transocean Onshore Support Services, Maersk Offshore Crew Management (Guernsey), Odfjell Technology (UK) and Archer UK.
10.05.2022
