Unite the Union has called for “change” following North Sea oil rig workers going on strike over a “wage revolution”.
Energy Voice reported that strikes were sparked by fabric maintenance workers on the TotalEnergies' Elgin platform and Safe Caledonia flotel on Tuesday night.
Works on other platforms from Bilfinger UK, BP’s ETAP and Harbour Energy’s Judy platform also stopped in order to force a pay rise to counter the cost of living crisis.
Workers are seeking an increase in base rates to £7 per hour to help counter the rise in inflation.
A spokesman for Unite said: “Unite has only recently been made aware of some workers having expressed their unhappiness with their employer on several North Sea offshore installations - we are unclear as to the exact number or identity of workers involved, and specifically where it is taking place.
“This is despite the profits that are being reaped in the industry through the rising price of oil, which has remained steadily above $100 a barrel for months.
“Bilfinger has refused to talk to Unite and recognise our right to bargain for this group of workers, and so far it has also refused to join the Energy Services Agreement; this must change.”
A spokesperson for Bilfinger UK said: “We understand that Bilfinger UK is one of a group of contractors with employees downing tools on assets in the North Sea, we are working closely with our clients and employees to resolve this as soon as possible.”
A Wood spokesperson said that a number of its employees and subcontractors “chose not to work”, adding: “We have received no official notification of this activity and are looking into this matter, with a view to working closely with our client and employee representatives to ensure any grievances are managed via the appropriate processes.”
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