New North Sea strike goes ahead as company rejects union offer

LONDON -- A 48-hour strike by North Sea offshore oil and gas workers started Thursday, after company managers rejected an offer from trade unions.

Workers in the trade unions Unite and RMT went ahead with the planned stoppage as part of an ongoing dispute with employers Wood Group. According to a statement released by the union, the workers are facing a cut in pay and allowances of up to 30%.

In last-minute meetings this week, the unions had offered to suspend the strike if the company agreed to remove their current proposal in full to allow for further consultation and negotiation. The company refused.

Unite regional officer John Boland said, “We are extremely disappointed that Wood Group has decided to continue its attack on the pay and allowances of offshore workers. We repeat our call for proper consultation and negotiation.”

As part of the dispute, Unite organized a 24-hour stoppage on Tuesday, July 26, followed by a series of three-hour stoppages on platforms owned by Shell. The Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Nelson, Gannet, Shearwater and Curlew platforms were all affected.