ORGANISING THE KEY TO OFFSHORE SUCCESS

RMT helpline 0800 3763706 :: april 2010 :: RMTnews 14 Organising remains the key to winning advances for offshore workers in a notoriously anti- union industry, organiser Jake Molloy told delegates at RMT’s offshore conference. Offshore membership had increased by 1,300 in the 18 months since the historic merger of OILC with RMT. Against the background of sharp recession, RMT diving members had accepted a three- year pay deal delivering RPI plus 1.5 per cent up to 2012 – the only agreement in North Sea which had secured an increase of any kind for the period. Winning wider recognition remained the biggest hurdle to winning advances for offshore workers. Nonetheless, RMT had influenced several issues, including successful campaigns against BP’s plan to cut contract workers’ terms and conditions, and to ensure that transfer of undertakings (TUPE) protection was applied to transferring contract workers on Apache operations. The union was campaigning against Salamis’ refusal to allow RMT representation and unfair deductions from pay, and battling to establish the right to paid holidays among catering staff. Representation of more than 80 members in disciplinaries and grievances had resulted in winning close to £300,000 in compensation for offshore members treated unfairly. The union had also recovered over £600,000 for members in personal-injury compensation. RMT had played a high- profile role following the tragic helicopter events of the last year, calling for tighter safety controls, and had had discussions with helicopter manufacturers and operators and regulatory bodies. Jake contrasted the situation for UK offshore workers with that of Norwegian colleagues. “They have the law on their side, they put people before profits and that is why they have recognition – we have neither,” he said. Lack of recognition remained the biggest stumbling block, and despite the difficulties it was essential to revive the inter- union offshore committee, said national secretary Stevie Todd. The 1977 memo of understanding for union access to offshore facilities, under which offshore access was agreed, urgently needed to be revived. The need was stark, not least as raft after raft of legislation had excluded seafarers and offshore workers from protection. “We pay the same taxes and we have the right to the same protection,” said Steve. A special offshore organising conference could map out the industry and put a detailed plan in place, suggested general secretary Bob Crow. It was essential that such a plan, covering all offshore sections, came from those involved at the sharp end – it was the members who should be shaping offshore organisation. It was certain that workers would face increased attacks on jobs, pay and conditions by employers seeking to protect profits by cutting costs. Workers needed to be organised to resist them – and the aim should be for every member to be an organiser. RMT’s offshore needs sufficient resources to intervene effectively in the sector and organise 20,000 potential members, delegates agreed. It was essential to develop a clear strategy for getting RMT officials offshore to visit facilities and to “get in the face of the oil companies”, said branch secretary Neil Rothnie. “Without the right to organise the companies will have succeeded in banning unions offshore,” Neil said. Divers’ representative Derek Moore pointed out that recognition meant that he was able to take on cases – and recalled the dramatic pay victory for divers in 2006, which had seen the divers win a three-year 44.7 per cent increase after ten days’ solid strike action. Effective communications was also essential with members spread across many different vessels and facilities, and divers were in regular touch through an effective email tree and a divers’ blog. Branch chair Mike McCaig agreed that it wasn’t just about money, but about structure and organisation. • The union should convene a meeting involving RMT MPs and offshore workers to develop a policy to secure the UK’s oil and gas resources for the benefit of the people of the UK and see that they are exploited rationally to ensure effective transition to green energy. • Work-permit protection under the 1971 Immigration Act should be extended to cover the offshore industry, to prevent super-exploitation of overseas workers, and offshore workers should have the right to join company pension schemes. • Delegates declared complete support for BA cabin staff striking to defend jobs, pay and conditions and agreed to offer any practical help that Unite might require. • Delegates condemned an attack on RMT and its members working for DB Schenker circulated by the Unite trade union, which falsely accused RMT of ‘sweetheart’ trade-unionism, and urged the union to step up efforts to end sweetheart deals in the North Sea. • Delegates discussed options for the offshore conference, and agreed to establish a working party aimed at ensuring maximum participation. ORGANISING THE KEY TO OFFSHORE SUCCESS Members of RMT’s newest section gathered in Aberdeen to discuss pressing industrial issues and how best to organise the offshore energy