Bilfinger UK, Petrofac Facilities Management, Stork Technical Services, Sparrows Offshore Services and Wood Group contractors, working for oil and gas firms including BP and Repsol, have commenced a 48-hour strike in a dispute over jobs, pay and conditions.
Around 1,200 electrical, production and mechanical technicians, deck crew, scaffolders, crane operators, pipefitters, platers and riggers, represented by trade union Unite, are taking part in the action, which will affect oil and gas operators Apache, BP, Harbour Energy, Enquest, Ithaca, Repsol and Shell.
The strike will involve around 200 Bilfinger contractors working on BP and Repsol assets, and around 650 Stork offshore staff. Members working for Petrofac on the Ithaca FPF1 will take part along with members employed by the Wood Group on the TAQA installations, jointly covering around 150 members in total.
Around 200 offshore workers employed by Sparrows will also take part, excluding members on the BP units Andrew, Etap, Clair, Clair Ridge, Glen Lyon and Mungo, and Enquest units Heather, Magnus and Thistle due to the acceptance of separate pay offers.
BP and Shell together made first quarter profits of £11.7 billion. This latest strike action, which is due to there being no improved pay offers after employees demanded an increase above the base rate of pay, follows a previous one on 24 to 26 April.
Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, said: “Unite’s members are utterly determined that they should get a much better share of the profits these oil giants are making. And they deserve it. The latest round of 48-hour strike action is only the next step in our fight to deliver better jobs, pay and conditions in the offshore sector.”
John Boland, industrial officer at Unite, added: “Whether it is over improved pay, fairer and safer working rotas or holidays, Unite members remain fully prepared to fight on for a better deal.”
The affected oil and gas firms were contacted for comment prior to publication.