OFFSHORE DIVERS WIN SUBSTANTIAL PAY DEAL

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: september/october 2024 :: RMTnews 5 RMT members working under the Offshore Diving Industry Agreement (ODIA) have won a pay increase of nearly 25 per cent after voting overwhelmingly in favour of strike action. The three-year deal, backed by nearly 90 per cent of over 800 members in a referendum, represents a 15 per cent uplift from May and a 4.5 per cent increase in 2025 and another 4.5 per cent in 2026. In addition, employers have agreed to incrementally reinstate six public holidays withdrawn during the Covid pandemic. The Bend watch rate will also increase from 12 hours to 24 hours and travel allowance will increase by 36 per cent and allowances will be uplifted in line with RPI. The union had put on two months of planned strike action by over 800 divers before negotiations commenced under the auspices of ACAS. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch congratulated members for their steadfast determination to win a better deal following years without a pay rise to protect jobs during the downturn in oil and gas industry. “This result really does show what the solidarity of workers sticking together to get what they deserved can achieve. The fact that they were prepared to take two months of solid strike action says it all.   “These divers and the support crews work in a high- risk environment and they should be recognised for the crucial work they carry out. “We should also recognise that without being organised at the workplace and engaged in dialogue with the employers we could not have achieved this magnificent result,” he said. OFFSHORE DIVERS WIN SUBSTANTIAL PAY DEAL Divers and support crew also win reinstatement of bank holidays lost during Covid CAMPAIGN: RMT diver members David Hart, Jamie Bussey, Des Hamman and Alan Kelly NEGOTIATING TEAM: (left to right) Des Hamman, RMT regional organiser Ann Joss, Stephanie Hodgson, and David Hart. IIn addition to those pictured listed were Joss Turner and Mark Suddick.