Hundreds of Odfjell offshore drillers are being balloted in a dispute over working rotas and paid annual leave, Unite, Scotland’s leading offshore trade union has confirmed.
The disputes involve drillers, electricians, mechanics, and materials controllers on Equinor’s Mariner unit and TAQA units including Harding, Tern Alpha, East Brae, Brae Alpha and the North Cormorant.
The ballot runs until December 7, with possible strike action starting early next year.
The union said the dispute centres on Odfjell’s refusal to reform working rotas and provide paid annual leave.
The drillers currently work three weeks on and three weeks off, which Unite noted leaves them at a disadvantage compared with other offshore workers on the installations operated by Equinor and TAQA.
Operator staff, caterers and construction workers all operate on a rota of two weeks on and three off. Odfjell and the operators have stated that any change to the working rotas will result in the drillers having to sacrifice pay.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Drillers are amongst the hardest working people in the offshore sector. They also have to confront some of the most hazardous and dangerous environments, so the Odfjell drillers fully deserve to be paid the same time off as other offshore workers.”
“It’s a scandal that Odfjell along with the operators Equinor and TAQA refuse to change their working rotas to put the drillers on the same footing as other workers on the installations. Unite will support our members every step of the way in the fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”
In February, Unite secured for 100 offshore drillers working for Odfjell on the BP Clair and Clair Ridge three weeks paid time off work per year. The extra three weeks leave was the equivalent to an 11.5% wage rise.
