North Sea oil and gas operations are facing major upheaval after UK offshore workers voted to strike.
The industrial action will involve at least 1,400 staff and hit major oil and gas companies including BP, CNRI, EnQuest, Harbour, Ithaca, Shell and Total, the Unite union said.
“Dozens” of platforms and offshore installations will be brought to a “standstill” due to the specialised roles its members undertake, the union added.
The strikes could also disrupt offshore support vessel (OSV) operations if rig moves and supply runs are affected.
The action could take place within weeks, the union said.
Members are demanding a better deal on jobs, pay and conditions as energy companies enjoy record profits.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Oil and gas companies have been given free rein to enjoy massive windfall profits in the North Sea; drilling concessions are effectively licences to print money.”
“1,400 offshore workers are now set to take strike action against these employers who are raking it [in] but refusing to give them a fair share of the pie. This will create a tsunami of industrial unrest in the offshore sector.”
Staff include electrical, production and mechanical technicians, in addition to deck crew, crane operators, pipefitters, platers, and riggers, at Bilfinger, Stork, Petrofac, Wood Group and Sparrows Offshore Services.
First stoppages on 29 March
About 200 Sparrows workers are set to be the first to strike.
A series of one-day, two-day and 72-hour stoppages will hit BP, Shell, Apache and Harbour Energy platforms between 29 March and 7 June.,
More strike ballots are taking place this week at Petrofac BP and Worley Services. These could add another 130 workers to the total.
