North Sea offshore workers resume strike action in dispute over pay and conditions

Hundreds of North Sea contractors have resumed 48-hour strike action in an ongoing walkout over pay and conditions.

Unite said that from Wednesday, 1,200 of its members will strike for two days – a stoppage which will hit energy firms including BP and Shell.

Contractors representing firms including Bilfinger UK Limited, Petrofac Facilities Management, Stork Technical Services, Sparrows Offshore Services and Wood Group, are taking part in the industrial action to demand a better deal on jobs, pay and conditions.

The first 48-hour stoppage was on April 24 and caused “widespread disruption”, according to Unite.

A fresh two-day action is now under way.

The workers going on strike includes electrical, production and mechanical technicians in addition to deck crew, scaffolders, crane operators, pipefitters, platers, and riggers.

The latest walkout comes after Unite blasted government inaction over the ‘obscene profits’ being recorded by oil and gas corporations, after it was revealed that BP and Shell together made first quarter profits touching £11.7bn.

Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “Oil and gas corporations continue to enjoy a profiteering bonanza. 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. Unite is prepared to fight over the long-haul because the union has to challenge unfettered corporate greed.”

John Boland, Unite industrial officer, added: “We are witnessing the biggest wave of industrial action in a generation in the offshore sector.”

A Bilfinger spokesperson said: “Operational safety remains our top priority and we have procedures in place to minimise any potential disruption.”