Workers to be balloted on industrial action at Aberdeenshire oil and gas facility

Construction workers at the St Fergus Gas plant in Aberdeenshire will be balloted on industrial action in an ongoing dispute over changes to contracts.

Unite members at the oil and gas facility will vote on whether to down tools after operators Wood Group revealed plans to stop a standing payment for Permit Holders who carry out safety duties and, instead, change contracts so the entire workforce may be required to undertake the responsibility without any extra money.

The union claim wages could be cut by more than £100 a week for some workers and safety will be compromised.

98% of union members at the Shell owned site backed holding a vote on industrial action in a consultative ballot.

Vic Fraser, Unite regional industrial officer, said “Wood Group has informed us that they intend to unilaterally change contracts to ensure everyone in the workforce may be required to be a permit holder and are obliged to have it without any additional payment.

“Unite will not stand by as individuals who do not want to perform this safety critical role and those individuals who are not even capable to carry out the added responsibilities being forced to do so. The permit system is an integral part of the safety system at the gas plant.”

“Both Wood Group and the site operator Shell have been made aware of the reduced plant efficiency and the concerns over safety through stopping the original practice of Permit Holders coming in half an hour before the rest of the workforce.

“But, neither company appears to be interested in what the workforce has to say. As such, Unite members will be moving forward with an industrial action ballot to protect our members’ terms and conditions, and the safety of the plant and the nearby community.”

We have contacted Wood for comment.

Source: originalfm.com