FIGHTING BACK OFFSHORE

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: november/december 2017 :: RMTnews 14 RMT members in the offshore energy sector have faced an unprecedented scale of cuts and redundancies over the last three years as the biggest downturn ever to affect the global oil and gas sector has taken effect. Industry body Oil and Gas UK report that over 160,000 jobs have gone in the UK across the industry and the wider supply chain as a consequence of industry cutbacks, and there is no one in the industry that hasn’t been affected. It’s been a very long and extremely difficult period for our members and offshore workers generally, for many it’s been a battle for survival. There’s no doubt that workers across the sector are ‘battle weary’, and when you look at the eye-watering figures of those out of a job and the extent of the cuts applied to those who survived – an average of 20 per cent –you begin to understand why. However, for RMT the battle cry has always been “never on our knees” and, weary or not, the union believes that it is time to start the fight back. Organisers and branches in Scotland have met in recent weeks and battle plans are being drawn up to start organising a sector that desperately needs support. Catering workers covered by COTA, the diving crews covered by the ODIA and now the maintenance and engineering workers covered by OCA are all at critical stages as negotiations begin in earnest for the next year or more. RMT is now part of the OCA along with our Unite and GMB union colleagues and members will be included in the consultation and balloting processes. As well as these groups RMT also has our seafaring members employed in the stand-by and supply vessel industries. To start the fight back the union will have teams out in January at the heliports, the docks and the surrounding hotels setting out dates and locations for meetings, information and contacts. RMT wants to start a ‘big conversation’ about how to organise to protect the industry, provide secure well paid employment in the oil and gas, decommissioning and renewables sectors and to secure a future. The fact is, if we don’t get organised and start the fight back, there will be no future. Look out for more information and get involved. The offshore energy branch and the Aberdeen shipping branch want to hear from you. RMT offshore energy branch secretary Mike McCaig reports on how the union is fighting back against vicious cuts FIGHTING BACK OFFSHORE