Around 100 drillers employed by Odfjell Technology working on Equinor’s Mariner platform in the UK North Sea are set to strike over three months, Unite Scotland’s leading offshore trade union has confirmed.
Unite members voted unanimously in favour of strike action, and by 99% in favour of a continuous overtime ban on a high turnout, the union said.
The industrial action entails a series of 24-hour strikes taking place every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday for 12 consecutive weeks. The action will begin on January 29 and end on April 20. A continuous overtime ban will also be in place throughout the 12 weeks.
The dispute centres on the drillers fighting for a better work and life balance. Unite said that its members are recording concerns over physical and mental burnout, fatigue, and stress due to staff shortages. The Odfjell members work 12-hour shifts for three weeks at a time, but they must also conduct any required training during their field breaks.
“Odfjell drillers on the Mariner platform are ready to take their employer head-on. Unite will fully support our members in their fight for a better work and life balance,” said Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary.
Unite said it is predicting that due to the scale and length of industrial action, it will effectively close down all drilling activity on Equinor’s Mariner platform, and it could impact production.
