The main offshore trade union in the UK, Unite, announced that next week would see a resumption of strikes by offshore workers employed by Wood Group and Petrofac on the TAQA and FPF1 platforms, respectively.
Around 80 employees of the Wood Group UK, according to Unite, will launch a 48-hour strike action on June 19 as the first of a series of stoppages that will take place throughout June and July.
The workers announced four 48-hour strikes starting on June 19 and ending on June 28 and July 3 on Cormorant Alpha, North Cormorant, and Tern Alpha.
Around 50 Unite members employed by Petrofac Facilities Management Limited will also participate in a series of eight 24-hour stoppages on the FPF1 platform starting on June 21 and ending on July 14 in a separate dispute centered on working rotas.
"The pattern is unmistakable. Workers who are employed offshore are speaking out and winning better positions, compensation, and working conditions. In the most recent stage of their strike action, Unite members at Petrofac and the Wood Group will have the full backing of their union, according to Unite general secretary Sharon Graham.
Unite is requesting the reversal of a 10% salary reduction implemented by the Wood Group in 2015, amounting to about £7,000 (or $9,000) per year, as well as an improved redundancy and retention program.
The operator, Ithaca Energy, has a 14-day "clawback" policy, which is the equivalent of £6,000 in lost income per person in terms of money, and this is the basis for the dispute involving Unite's Petrofac members. This guideline goes well beyond the typical seven-day industry practice.
"The Petrofac members of Unite on the FPF1 platform and the Wood Group members on the TAQA platforms are steadfastly committed to continuing the struggle. According to John Boland, a Unite industrial officer, "both the contractors and operators failed to offer a good working environment, which is the basis of these conflicts.
Over 700 offshore members of Bilfinger UK accepted a higher wage offer last week, ending the pay dispute, according to Unite. In addition to the 4% increase in January 2023, they agreed to an additional 6% increase in basic salary. When combined with other raises implemented by Bilfinger in November 2022, the basic pay increase for some members has increased by up to 19% in less than a year.
The unrest is not limited to just UK employees. Over 900 Norwegian workers on offshore drilling rigs and other facilities issued a strike warning earlier this week if a new wage agreement wasn't reached.
