DIVERS NET 44.7% PAY DEAL

RMTnews :: december 2006 :: www.rmt.org.uk 8 After ten days of continuous strike action, members vote overwhelmingly to accept a 44.7 per cent cumulative pay increase over two years More than 900 striking North Sea divers and support staff voted by over 80 per cent voted to accept a 44.7 per cent two- year pay deal, on an 80 per cent turnout. The union launched strike action on November 1 after offshore personnel rejected a 37 per cent pay offer and not one diving support vessel was operational throughout the stoppage. Members on vessels as far a field as Singapore, the Canaries and Egypt joined the strike and members walked also out of training courses in Norway. The final settlement gives an immediate increase of 25 per cent on all rates, with a further five per cent on the new rates next April, and increases in November 2007 and 2008 of RPI plus 1.5 per cent or five per cent, whichever is greater. The seven employer signatories to the deal will also now pay eight bank holidays, up from four previously, and each has undertaken to agree proper bargaining structures with the union, although pay will continue to be negotiated collectively. "By any standard this is a tremendous victory for a group of workers who have displayed grit, determination and complete solidarity in their campaign to win a fair pay increase," RMT general secretary Bob Crow said. National secretary Steve Todd pointed out that divers and their support crews do difficult and hazardous work in an industry that makes enormous profits, and the settlement was a stride towards reversing the two decades of pay erosion. "Nonetheless, there remain issues to be addressed, and the establishment of proper negotiating procedures provides the framework within which that can now be done,” he said. "Our members came out as one, stood together through ten days of solid strike action, and can return to work proud that their unity has won a significant advance," regional organiser Stan Herschel said. Messages of support flooded into the strike office from diving maritime unions around the world. Norwegian colleagues offered practical support and attended a mass meeting during the dispute in Aberdeen. Messages also came from as far a field as the Indonesian Seafarers’ Union, the Argentinean divers’ union and from the Maritime Union of Australia. DIVERS NET 44.7% PAY DEAL After ten days of continuous strike action, members vote overwhelmingly to accept a 44.7 per cent cumulative pay increase over two years. RATES OF PAY AND CONDITIONS FOR OFFSHORE DIVING PERSONNEL • A 25 per cent increase in all rates of pay with effect from November 1 2006 • A further increase of five per cent on the new pay rates with effect from April 1 2007 • An increase of five per cent or RPI (Currently 3.6 per cent) + 1.5 per cent, whichever is the greater, with effect from November 1 2007 • An increase of five per cent or RPI + 1.5 per cent, whichever is the greater, with effect from November 1 2008 The RPI figure to be used will be the September figure as published in October and this works out as a 44.7 per cent increase to pay rates by November 2008. In addition, employers have agreed to pay all eight Bank Holidays at 100 per cent of the day rate. There was also an agreement to draw up formal recognition and Procedural Agreements with each individual company to be in place by March 31 2007. Pay talks will remain a collective matter between all companies and RMT under the current arrangements. Steve Todd Stan Herschel Tony Donaghey