OIL and gas workers are set to stage a rally in Aberdeen on Monday, as part of a “tsunami” of strikes causing “severe’ problems for operators.
The trade union Unite said 1300 workers will take part in two days of industrial action affecting multi-billion oil industry operators – including BP, Shell and EnQuest.
Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “Oil and gas companies are enjoying record windfall profits, and they can easily afford to give our members a decent pay rise.
“The 48-hour strike action will only be the start of the tsunami of industrial unrest if contractors and operators refuse to give our offshore members the better jobs, pay and conditions they deserve.
“The scale of corporate greed in the offshore sector has to be challenged, and it will be by Unite.”
Unite recently confirmed that around 70 offshore workers employed by TotalEnergies on the Elgin Franklin and North Alwyn platforms – along with the Shetland Gas Plant – are being balloted on strike action, the ballots close on 5 May.
Unite has strike mandates at Petrofac BP covering around 100 members – however, no strike dates have been announced in relation to these disputes.
The union also said it had a further strike mandate at Worley Services UK Limited – involving 50 members – but action has been suspended while talks continue with the company.
John Boland, Unite industrial officer, added: “An army of 1300 workers will take part in the biggest offshore stoppage in a generation. The 48-hour strike action will cause severe problems for contractors and operators.
“We believe that due to the specialised nature of work our members undertake, offshore platforms will not be able to operate safely and efficiently without them.
“The strike action could halt production on dozens of platforms and bring them to a standstill.”
Both EnQuest and Shell declined to comment when contacted.
