Offshore staff
ABERDEEN, UK — Unite the Union reported that almost 100 Odfjell-employed drilling staff voted to support strike action on two bp-operated platforms west of Shetland.
They are seeking paid leave away from the current "three on/three off" working rota, with a series of 24-hour stoppages, potentially escalating to an all-out strike.
The action will impact the drilling schedules at the Clair and Clair Ridge platforms. According to Unite, Odfjell refused to provide paid annual leave for periods when the drillers would otherwise be offshore, unlike other offshore staff that are said to receive paid leave as part of their working rotas.
Unite members also voted by 97% to support action short of a strike, including a full overtime ban limiting the working day to 12 hours, providing no additional cover during scheduled field breaks, and withdrawal of goodwill pre- and post-tour briefings that would prevent handovers between shifts.
Vic Fraser Unite industrial officer, claimed that last week, without consultations, Odfjell and bp implemented drill crew changes that could lead to some offshore staff working 25 to 29 offshore days consecutively.
02.10.2023
