Ballot on rigs as oil barons on attack again

Oil and gas industry workers covered by the Offshore Contractors Association (OCA) agreement are holding a consultative ballot on the latest insulting deal from employers.

Only Unite and GMB union members are voting but the agreement also affects many RMT/OilC union members. It closes on 4 November.

OCA chief executive Paul Atkinson claims the deal gives workers a “substantial pay rise”— a pitiful 0.8 percent, or less than £350 a year, that will be cancelled out by other attacks.

Similarly, the “improved sick pay” Atkinson offers amounts to an extra £1.50 a week.

Offshore union activist Harry said, “The offshore workforce is sick of the historic beating they are taking from the OCA on their terms and conditions.”

Union activists launched a petition last weekend calling on Atkinson to resign immediately.

Workers should reject the OCA deal and call on their unions to move to an industrial action ballot.