News / Unions set to strike after rejecting Petrofac deal
DISGRUNTLED construction workers at Shetland’s new gas plant are planning industrial action from Friday after rejecting an offer from site contractors Petrofac.
It follows talks in recent days aimed at resolving a dispute over accommodation and travel arrangements for workers involved in building Total’s new £800 million plant at Sullom Voe.
Further strikes by the 800 Unite and GMB union members affected by the site arrangements are scheduled for Friday 31 January and Friday 7 February.
Unions had warned of safety concerns because workers sharing bunk beds with colleagues were not getting enough sleep – prompting Petrofac to offer those workers a room of their own.
It had also offered a financial package for those who are unhappy at travelling between Lerwick and Sullom Voe every day.
That would have included a retrospective lump sum dating back to the start of 2013 and an additional sum from now until the project is completed.
Petrofac claims that for those who began work in January last year and aimed to stay until the end of June it would mean an additional £5,500 on top of their salary.
But at a mass meeting on Tuesday, Unite and GMB members rejected the offer that had been recommended by union organisers.
“The workforce have rejected the offer that was put forward by management,” Unite representative John Taylor said.
“There will be a 24 hour stoppage this Friday, next Friday… and the Friday after that.”
He said the unions remained open to further talks if Petrofac is willing to up its offer. But no talks are planned at present.
“Petrofac have made their position clear,” said Taylor, “ that if any industrial action took place the offer was withdrawn from the table, therefore there is no meeting planned.
“[There was] a very strong feeling among the workforce. I would say 85-90 per cent [were] in favour.”
A Petrofac spokesman said the company was “surprised and disappointed” and was “now considering our options”.
“We explain to the workers at three points before they begin work on the project that they will be required to share rooms,” the spokesman said, “and they all sign a disclaimer agreeing to do so.
“Having said that, we take their welfare very seriously and had made a very generous offer that was accepted by the full time union officials and the shop stewards.”
Cruise ship the Ocean Endeavour is en route to Lerwick from the Canary Islands to house gas plant workers, though Petrofac says that is to cope with greater numbers on site rather than related to the dispute.
Lerwick Port Authority confirmed the cruise ship was to berth in the harbour for six months. It will be at Victoria Pier initially, but may need to move if the berth is required for other vessels.
Formerly known as the Kristina Katarina, the ship had previously come to Shetland under a Finnish company that operated cruises. It had been expected in Lerwick for more cruises this summer but its new owners have instead made the 193-cabin vessel available for charter.
The LPA said it had been advised by Petrofac that the three floating accommodation barges already in Lerwick will be departing at different stages between May and August.
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