Oil strike support

Hundreds of North Sea oil workers have received a boost ahead of industrial action next week with Norwegian energy unions pledging their “100 per cent support”.

The Norwegian solidarity message has been issued by the Industri Energi union ahead of the union action on Shell platforms in a dispute with the Wood Group over further reductions in pay and allowances of up to 30 per cent.

Unite official John Boland welcomed the supportive comments by Norwegian colleagues.

“This show of solidarity from representatives of oil workers in Norway gives our members enormous strength in the knowledge that their decision to take strike action in order to defend their pay, terms and conditions, is the right one,” he said.

“The decision to take strike action is not one taken lightly, and Unite members will be heartened by this message of support and solidarity shown by their brothers and sisters in Norway.”

“Unite is working in cooperation with international unions across this region of the North Sea to defend the jobs of oil and gas workers and the future of this vital industry.”