Offshore workers join the RMT

Membership of the RMT rail and maritime union is to expand by 2,000 after members of the offshore union OILC voted by four to one in favour of merging with it.

Following a strong recommendation from its leaders, the non-TUC oil union voted by 807 to 207 to transfer its engagements to its 75,000-member counterpart. Turnout was over 50%.

OILC, which organises offshore engineering, drilling, construction and support workers, was set up following the 1988 Piper Alpha oil rig disaster which claimed 167 lives. It will become the offshore section of the RMT, which already organises divers and catering workers in the offshore industry.

OILC general secretary Jake Molloy welcomed the merger, saying it would mean better safety, pay and conditions and job security for offshore workers. RMT general secretary Bob Crow added: “Bringing our two unions together will give us more industrial clout and can only benefit members of both.”