‘Hundreds’ of North Sea workers to resume strikes as Unite hits out at ‘big oil’ profits

Union bosses say 'obscene' profits of oil firms have created unacceptable situation.

By Ryan Duff

May 9 2023, 11:21 am

Around 1,300 workers downed tools last month. Image: Unite the Union

North Sea workers are taking industrial action this week in an ongoing dispute regarding pay and working conditions.

Union bosses say hundreds of contractor employees are involved in the wake of energy operators posting “obscene” first-quarter profits.

Stork, Bilfinger and Petrofac workers are due to down tools, the latter including 100 workers on BP assets in the UK sector.

According Unite the Union regional officer Shauna Wright figures posted recently by the likes of Shell and BP are “a huge slap in the face”.

Last month 1,300 workers downed tools as part of a “tsunami” of strike action carried out by members of Unite the Union, impacting operators across the sector.

‘This is not acceptable’

Ms Wright said: “Those quarter-one figures are obscene.

Singling out BP, she added: “They have not even come to the table with an offer for our members. They’re not even in dialogue in trying to resolve this complaint and trying to bring this industrial action to an end.

“They may be happy to boast about their profits, but without our workers those profits won’t be coming in in the future.

“Industrial action will come and we will make sure that BP hear our members voices.

“This is not acceptable.”

BP has been asked for comment.

The British supermajor announced last week it made £4 billion in profits during the first three months of this year and would be launching a share buyback scheme.

It is not BP staff that are taking industrial action but those employed by contractor firms.

‘This solely lies at Bilfinger’s foot but the leg belongs to BP’

Another Unite regional officer, Vic Fraser, said he hoped “oil and gas operators see sense and open up their purse strings to allow the employers to meet our demands”.

north sea strikes — As strikes take place offshore, workers stage action outside Petrofac offices in Aberdeen.

Ms Wright, who represents Unite’s members employed by Bilfinger, added: “BP subcontract to Bilfinger Salamis to do the work.

“By default, they are the employer because they’re paying another company to ask our members to do their work. This solely lies at Bilfinger’s foot but the leg belongs to BP.”

Ahead of tomorrow’s strike action, a Bilfinger spokesman said: “Operational safety remains our top priority and we have procedures in place to minimise any potential disruption.”

Unite is in contact with Bilfinger “to try to get the likes of BP, CNRI [CNR International], Taqa and Ithaca round the table,” Ms Wright said.