01/11/2006
North Sea divers go on strike
Around 900 divers working in the North Sea oil and gas industry have begun an indefinite strike after employers’ latest pay offer was rejected.
The divers members of the RMT union voted against accepting a 20% increase immediately with an additional 5% next year.
The employers' offer was rejected by 516 votes to 240, on what the RMT said was a 79% turnout, in a poll that closed at midday yesterday (Tuesday). The latest vote follows on from a rejection of an earlier offer.
RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said: "This result shows just how angry RMT diving personnel have become after 20 years of pay erosion.
"North Sea divers do a particularly difficult job in a particularly hazardous industry, yet over two decades their earnings have slipped by 20% in the average pay tables, while the oil and gas companies have been raking in super-profits.”
Mr Crow said that union members had made it quite clear that the offer on the table fell short of their aspirations.
He added: "We remain ready to talk, and we would hope that the employers will now return to the table with an offer that meets those aspirations.”
Following the result of the ballot a spokesperson for the UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA) said: “UKOOA is disappointed that the divers have today rejected the latest substantial pay offer, despite their unions recommendation to accept it.
“We sincerely hope that the strike will have no effect on North Sea production although, traditionally, of course, the winter period is a quiet time for diving activity because of the seasonal nature of the work on account of the weather.”
(SP/KMcA)
The divers members of the RMT union voted against accepting a 20% increase immediately with an additional 5% next year.
The employers' offer was rejected by 516 votes to 240, on what the RMT said was a 79% turnout, in a poll that closed at midday yesterday (Tuesday). The latest vote follows on from a rejection of an earlier offer.
RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said: "This result shows just how angry RMT diving personnel have become after 20 years of pay erosion.
"North Sea divers do a particularly difficult job in a particularly hazardous industry, yet over two decades their earnings have slipped by 20% in the average pay tables, while the oil and gas companies have been raking in super-profits.”
Mr Crow said that union members had made it quite clear that the offer on the table fell short of their aspirations.
He added: "We remain ready to talk, and we would hope that the employers will now return to the table with an offer that meets those aspirations.”
Following the result of the ballot a spokesperson for the UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA) said: “UKOOA is disappointed that the divers have today rejected the latest substantial pay offer, despite their unions recommendation to accept it.
“We sincerely hope that the strike will have no effect on North Sea production although, traditionally, of course, the winter period is a quiet time for diving activity because of the seasonal nature of the work on account of the weather.”
(SP/KMcA)
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