North Sea oil workers plan strikes in pay dispute

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 19:07 · Archive

More than 160 offshore workers at Apache are due to strike for 24 hours from Wednesday over pay.

More than 160 offshore workers employed by Apache are due to strike for 24 hours from Wednesday in a pay dispute. Seven platforms are expected to be affected, including developments in the Forties and Beryl areas. A second strike is planned for November 4. The Guardian reports that a separate 48-hour strike starting on Tuesday was already planned by workers at oil services company Wood Group contracted to Harbour Energy's facilities.

Unite union claims the strike could severely disrupt UK fuel supplies. The Guardian reports that the strike will affect five Apache platforms linked to the Forties Pipeline System, which it says is responsible for about 30 per cent of UK oil production. Unite has warned that a halt in production could lead to a sharp drop in pressure across the pipeline system.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said Apache "can easily afford to resolve this dispute" given the company is "making billions of pounds in profit" and accused it of "reckless behaviour" and "shameful corporate greed". Unite industrial officer Stevie Davies said many members had been offered "a real terms pay cut". Pay talks between Unite and Apache through Acas mediation are scheduled for Wednesday, though Unite said it is "not hopeful" given Apache's lack of willingness to resolve the dispute.

How it is being reported

• North Sea strikes could severely disrupt UK fuel supplies, union warnsMore than 160 offshore rig workers plan walkout amid rising tensions between unions and oil companies North Sea workers are preparing to strike at oil rigs across the ageing basin over the coming weeks in a sign of growing tensions between trade unions and oil companies. The Unite union said on Monday that more than 160 offshore rig workers would take part in a 24-hour strike from Wednesday that could “severely disrupt” UK fuel supplies. Continue reading...Guardian Business · 19 Oct, 18:39
• Union claims strike by offshore workers could disrupt fuel suppliesThe workers from oil and gas operator Apache are due to down tools for 24 hours.Independent Business · 19 Oct, 12:49

In this story: Apache · Unite · North Sea · Forties · Beryl · Harbour Energy · Wood Group · Ineos

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