Pictures have been released of offshore workers who are carrying out strikes on BP and Repsol Sinopec platforms in the North Sea.
Over 200 Petrofac workers have downed tools in a 48-hour action, which started yesterday, over a dispute on pay and conditions.
Images have been shared of the Unite strike action on social media channels as workers have cabined up and refused to go back to work until demands on pay and conditions are met.
More than 220 Petrofac workers began strike action yesterday morning at 6 am on BP and Respol Sinopec platforms.
146 members working for Petrofac (LON: PFC) have commenced strike action on Repsol Sinopec Resources UK (RSRUK) assets, marking the second action in several weeks.
Workers rejected a 3% pay offer and sought to reinstate a 10% equal time payment, alongside other benefits.
76 members working on behalf of Petrofac at BP installations including Andrew, Clair, Clair Ridge, ETAP and Glen Lyon also began strike action at the same time.
Unite has said that strikes at BP and Repsol Sinopec assets are likely to cause “considerable disruption”, though RSRUK has previously said production will not be affected.
In a statement, a BP spokesperson said: “With regards the ongoing industrial action, our focus remains on the safety of our workforce and operations offshore.”
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Commenting on Thursday morning, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Offshore oil and gas companies are making eye-watering profits yet are playing Scrooge when it comes to the workers that create those profits. Instead of working to resolve this dispute management are prolonging it.
“Their actions are those of a greedy and callous employer hell-bent on making their workers worse off while their shareholders bathe in the wealth created by my members. Unite supports, and will continue to support our members at Petrofac for as long as it takes for them to achieve a resolution.”
Unite industrial officer John Boland, on behalf of the workforce added: “Our members have faced a real terms pay cut and an attack on their working terms over years as a result of them taking Petrofac’s word that they would do the right thing.
“The workers involved in these disputes are resolute in their determination to continue with ongoing action until their claims are met. Petrofac can not only afford to pay up and settle this dispute, they should do so now in order that workers on these installations can get on with the job.”
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