North Sea strikes go ahead

In April, more than 1,300 offshore workers began strike action with a 48-hour stoppage that caused “severe” problems for major oil and gas operators, including multi-billion pound corporations such as BP, Shell and Total

The Unite union, which represents the workers, said that the action, the “biggest offshore stoppage in a generation”, could result in production shutdowns due to the specialised work its members undertake on offshore platforms and assets.

The action includes workers at Bilfinger UK Limited, Petrofac Facilities Management, Stork Technical Services, and Sparrows Offshore Services.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham commented: “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 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.”