Private healthcare firm Bupa has revealed a 45% half-year profits slump, which bosses have blamed partly on oil and gas employees’ benefits being downgraded.
Bupa chief executive Evelyn Bourke said: “Globally, corporate oil and gas contracts have suffered as a result of the falling oil price, resulting in reduced revenues and profits.
“While oil and gas firms still see the benefit of having cover for employees, they are reducing some of the benefits.”
Unite’s John Boland said employers should be protecting workers’ rights.
He added: “Part of the proposal for Wood Group was to cut the standard of benefits they were giving to employees. It’s an easy target for employers because it doesn’t create a lot of headlines.
“However, for these guys working offshore it’s really important to have good health and life cover. This can be a dangerous industry so it’s important to protect oil and gas workers and their families.”
About 400 Wood Group employees are continuing a 48-hour strike today after last-ditch attempts to reach an agreement broke down.
Unite’s North-east regional organiser Tommy Campbell also said cutting workers’ benefits was an unacceptable strategy.
He said: “Oil companies are still making profits.
“We would always expect profits to be shared back among the workforce in terms of wages and benefits like healthcare.”
But Wood Group eastern region chief executive Dave Stewart said he was disappointed by the strike.
He said: “We were willing to suspend the implementation of the terms and conditions currently proposed to enable further detailed discussions with our employees and the unions.”
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