Culture of fear

Unite is warning of a “culture of fear” stalking North Sea offshore workers as the industry braces itself for more cuts.

The union is deeply concerned about the health and safety of workers, highlighting a race to the bottom in the sector which could result in a wave of industrial action.

Appearing before MPs on the Energy and Climate Change Committee, Unite regional officer Tommy Campbell, pointed out that changes to rotas can now mean people work on rigs 12 hour a day for 21 days in a row.

Fatigued and tired

“There is evidence coming back to us that people are very, very fatigued and tired. Nobody wants anyone working and responding while tired,” Campbell said.

The oil and gas sector has seen a major downturn over the past two years, something Campbell made clear, saying, “People have lost their jobs; those that have stayed have reluctantly accepted changes, but some changes are a bit too far.

“We have a disengaged, demoralised workforce out there living in a culture of fear.”

Campbell said workers had “reluctantly” bought into the efficiency measures, but now had to be at the centre of maximising the economic recovery.

“The workforce is the most important part of the oil and gas industry, we don’t produce anything without that workforce.”

Campbell added, “some workers have had enough” and warned that there was a move towards “industrial conflict” in the sector at the present time.

Some 65,000 jobs were lost in the North Sea in 2015 as oil prices tumbled. There’s been no major strike in the industry since the Piper Alpha disaster nearly 30 years ago.

Unite has also accused North Sea bosses of opportunistic cuts which make it impossible for rigorous health and safety standards to be maintained.

Lives at risk

 Pat Rafferty, Unite’s Scottish Secretary, said, “Lives and safety cannot be put at risk, we won’t stand by and watch while this happens.

“Whatever the problems we face together as an industry, the health and safety of workers must come above all else. People should not be put in a position of risk.

“It is approaching 30 years since the horrific Piper Alpha disaster which saw 167 workers lose their lives. It seems the oil and gas industry has learned little in that time.

“The truth of the matter is that workers are feeling increasingly frustrated that their concerns are going unheard.

“I repeat our call for all involved in this vital industry to be brought together in an oil and gas summit so that safety standards are not the casualty of this downturn and that the potential for catastrophe is averted,” he added.