CROWN ESTATE PROFITS MUST BENEFIT OFFSHORE WORKERS

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: september/october 2024 :: RMTnews 24 R MT has called for soaring Crown Estate profits to be used to secure decent contracts, pay and working conditions for offshore workers. The Crown Estate, which owns the country’s seabed up to 12 miles offshore, has announced a record-breaking net revenue profit of £1.1 billion for the 2023/24 financial year, a 41 per cent increase attributed in part to long-term investments in wind power. RMT said that it was an opportunity to use these profits and expanded borrowing powers to improve employment conditions and promote sustainable supply chains in the offshore energy sector. Improving employment conditions would support a 'just transition' for oil and gas workers to the clean offshore energy sector, which is crucial for meeting international carbon reduction targets. However, recent failures by the previous government have led to no bids from offshore wind developers in the Contract for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round 5, creating uncertainty for thousands of offshore workers. The new Scottish Secretary has also committed to reforms supporting worker retraining in the renewables sector. Similar reforms in England and Wales could positively impact Crown Estate Scotland, where worker protections are currently weaker. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that offshore workers and seafarers faced an uncertain future existing on insecure contracts. "We welcome the Labour government’s plans for a Crown Estate Bill and look forward to a better deal for offshore and supply chain workers. "Lucrative leasing agreements have returned £1.1billion to the Crown over 12 months but none of this has been ringfenced to advance just transition policies," he said. O ffshore union RMT has slammed oil and gas companies for complaining to the government about plans for a windfall tax despite raking in record dividends and profits. Over 40 companies have warned that any such plans threatened investment in all forms of domestic energy, including renewables despite having already slashed over 200,000 jobs and actively blocked publicly funded measures like an offshore training passport. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch described corporate complaints against a small rise in a windfall tax first implemented by the Tories as rank hypocrisy. “We are only talking about a three per cent increase of windfall taxes on oil and gas profits from to 78 per cent to bring the UK in line with Norway. “When the public are facing a 10 per cent increase in their energy bills, a three per cent increase in tax on oil and gas profits will be seen as entirely reasonable. “These companies should concentrate on investment in people and skills and developing positive engagement with trade unions, and supporting the extension of sectoral collective bargaining rights for all workers across the supply chain. “This is the key to a successful energy transition as the oil and gas volumes are gradually reduced for alternative greener fuels in the years ahead,” he said. CROWN ESTATE PROFITS MUST BENEFIT OFFSHORE WORKERS RMT SLAMS ENERGY COMPANIES FOR RESISTING WINDFALL TAX