North Sea strikes involving hundreds of workers will kick off from today
Unite the union said on Friday that around 300 members working for Ponticelli and Semco Maritime on TotalEnergies’ UK portfolio will down tools as part of an ongoing dispute over cuts to terms & conditions.
Industrial action, including a permanent overtime ban, combined with a series of strike days, will begin on Monday and run until late February next year.
The dispute also involves members of the RMT union.
An improved offer from Ponticelli and Semco Maritime was put to Unite members recently, but was rejected by 85% on an 80% return.
A mandate for strike action was secured last month following a ballot of workers.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite members at Ponticelli/Semco have given a resounding message to their employers following an overwhelming vote in favour of strike action.
“These workers do not deserve the treatment being meted out by these employers and refuse to allow this attack on their jobs, pay and conditions. This vote shows that they are prepared to fight back.”
Ponticelli and Semco Maritime, together with Brand Energy, form the PBS consortium – Brand is not involved in the dispute.
Across TotalEnergies (LON: TTE) UK portfolio, the consortium employs more than 600 people.
Those involved in strikes work on the French supermajor’s Culzean, Dunbar, Elgin-Franklin and North Alwyn assets, as well as the Shetland Gas Plant, the Ailsa FSO vessel, and the Gryphon FPSO.
Andreas Christophersen, PBS director, said: “Despite our best efforts to avoid industrial action, we have not yet been able to reach an agreement. PBS made an enhanced offer and we were disappointed that it was not accepted, however we have requested that the Unions join us in talks with ACAS about starting a mediation process to bring the dispute to a conclusion.
“We will continue to work with our employees’ representatives and the trade unions.”
PBS surprised many by bagging the contract for work on TotalEnergies’ UK portfolio last year.
A rival consortium, featuring Aker Solutions, Bilfinger, Muehlhan, Petrofac, Stork, Wood and Worley, had been expected to bag the deal.
At the time union bosses voice worries that TotalEnergies had snubbed more established players in favour of PBS.
John Boland, Unite regional officer, said: “Unite members are rightly extremely angry and frustrated that the Ponticelli/Semco management didn’t listen. Concerns were raised by Unite about the inexperience of these two companies months ago and that inexperience has resulted in the position we are at today.
“Ponticelli/Semco management urgently need to rethink their proposals and come back with an improved offer otherwise they will have a strike on their hands, which will be supported all the way by their union.
“Our members have made it clear that they are willing to take strike action to stop these cuts on their terms and conditions, and Unite will support them 100% in their fight.”
Full details of the industrial action
- A continuous ban on overtime commencing at 00:01 hours on 6th December 2021
Discontinuous strike action as follows:
North Alwyn & Dunbar
Commencing at 06:00 on 6th December, concluding at 05:59 on 7th December 2021;
Commencing at 06:00 on 8th December, concluding at 05:59 on 9th December 2021
Commencing at 06:00 on 10th December, concluding at 05:59 on 11th December 2021
Commencing at 06:00 on 13th December, concluding at 05:59 on 14th December 2021;
Commencing at 06:00 on 15th December, concluding at 05:59 on 16th December 2021
Commencing at 06:00 on 17th December, concluding at 05:59 on 18th December 2021
Elgin Franklin, Culzean, Alisa FSO & Shetland Gas Plant
Commencing at 06:00 on 6th December, concluding at 05:59 on 7th December 2021;
Commencing at 06:00 on 13th December, concluding at 05:59 on 14th December 2021;
Commencing at 06:00 on 20th December, concluding at 05:59 on 21st December 2021
Gryphon FPSO
Commencing at 06:00 on 8th December, concluding at 05:59 on 9th December 2021;
Commencing at 06:00 on 15th December, concluding at 05:59 on 16th December 2021;
Commencing at 06:00 on 22nd December, concluding at 05:59 on 23rd December 2021