In a statement sent to Rigzone recently, Unite the union said around 100 offshore drillers employed by Odfjell Technology (UK) Ltd, working on Equinor’s Mariner platform, are set to strike over three months to secure improvements to working rotas.
“Unite members voted unanimously in favor of strike action, and by 99 percent in favor of a continuous overtime ban on a high turnout,” Unite noted in the statement, adding that the members involved in the dispute “encompasses all deck crew”.
“The industrial action entails a series of 24-hour strikes taking place every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday for 12 consecutive weeks. The action will begin on Monday 29 January and end on Saturday 20 April,” Unite said in the statement. A continuous overtime ban will also be in place throughout the 12-week period, Unite added.
The dispute centers on the drillers fighting for a better work and life balance, according to Unite, which is reporting that its members are recording concerns over physical and mental burn out, fatigue, and stress due to staff shortages.
“The Odfjell members work 12-hour shifts for three weeks at a time but they must also conduct any required training during their field breaks,” Unite noted.
Unite predicted in the statement that, “due to the scale and length of industrial action, it will effectively close down all drilling activity on Equinor’s Mariner platform, and it could impact on production”.
In the statement, Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said, “Odfjell drillers on the Mariner platform are ready to take their employer head-on”.
“Unite will fully support our members in their fight for a better work and life balance,” Graham added.
“Unite is entirely focused on enhancing the job, pay, and conditions of its members and the Odfjell workers have the union’s unwavering support,” Graham continued.
Unite Industrial Officer Vic Fraser said in the statement, “Unite has fought long and hard for an improved working rotation in the interests of safety and a better working environment”.
“Odfjell is ignoring the serious concerns which our members are raising,” Fraser added.
“The only way that this dispute can be solved is if Odfjell discuss with Unite changes to the working rotation. Our members are resolute and they are prepared to strike over 12 weeks, until the company sees sense,” Fraser continued.
“The action will undoubtedly have a major impact and will in effect bring the Mariner platform to a standstill,” Fraser went on to state.
Rigzone asked Odfjell Technology Ltd and Equinor for comment on Unite’s statement. While Odfjell Technology Ltd has not yet responded to Rigzone at the time of writing, an Equinor spokesperson told Rigzone, “from Equinor’s side, I can confirm that we have received notification from Odfjell Technology that they have been served with a notice for industrial action commencing 29th January”.
“Our main priorities are to ensure the safety and welfare of our people and to minimize any impact to operations and the environment,” the spokesperson added.
“We cannot comment on the details of the strike,” the spokesperson continued.
In a statement sent to Rigzone back in November last year, Unite announced that over 80 Odfjell Technology Ltd drillers had settled a long running dispute over pay and conditions on TAQA installations.
“A revised pay offer by the company was overwhelmingly accepted by 77 percent of Unite’s drillers,” the union said in the statement.
“The pay deal backdated to June 1, 2023, will increase basic salaries by eight percent,” the union added.
“A fixed contract payment worth around five percent on top of basic monthly salaries will now be fully converted into the basic salary going forward,” it continued.
“In effect, this equates to a 13 percent increase being fully consolidated into pensions, overtime, and future pay increases,” Unite went on to state.
The Unite union noted in the statement that a 15 percent retention bonus upon release from the TAQA contract was also negotiated as part of the pay deal.
Rigzone previously asked Odfjell Technology Ltd and TAQA for comment on Unite’s November statement. While Odfjell Technology Ltd’s Corporate Secretary and Sustainability Manager, Gillian Basson, revealed that Odfjell Technology (UK) Ltd had no comment on the statement “at this time”, TAQA did not respond to Rigzone’s request.
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