Further to planned strike action earlier this month, Unite has confirmed that 160 Apache offshore workers will take part in a 24-hour strike to protest pay disputes, resulting in ‘severely disrupted’ UK fuel supplies.
Strike action will begin at 06:00 on Wednesday 21 October and finish at 05:59 on Thursday 22 October, and includes seven Apache assets associated with the Forties and Beryl oil fields: Forties Alpha, Forties Bravo, Forties Charlie, Forties Delta, Forties Echo, Beryl Alpha and Beryl Bravo offshore platforms. This could lead to the Forties Pipeline System (FPS) – which 80 offshore fields and the St Fergus gas plant flow through – going down. The FPS is operated by Ineos and handles around 29% of the UK’s oil and 30% of its gas supply.
Workers have rejected an offer from Apache that amounts to a real terms pay cut for many workers, from pay freeze to below-inflation increases. Unite, Acas – a conciliation service – and Apache will meet before Wednesday’s walk-out, but Unite have stated Apache show ‘no willingness’ to resolve the dispute.
Sharon Graham, Unite’s general secretary, says: ‘Apache is part of a global company that is making billions of pounds in profit. They can easily afford to resolve this dispute without even a dent in their profits by making an acceptable offer to our members. The fact is Apache has so far chosen not to do this which is putting UK fuel supplies at risk. That is reckless behaviour and it is driven by shameful corporate greed.’
Stevie Davies, a Unite industrial officer, comments: ‘Talks are set to take place with Acas prior to the 24-hour strike action. We want these talks to be successful, but we are not hopeful because Apache has shown no willingness to resolve this dispute. Many of our members have been offered a real terms pay cut – and that is unacceptable for an extremely profitable oil and gas operator. We have repeatedly warned that any action could lead to a material disruption in the Forties Pipeline. This could severely affect the UK’s fuel supplies. Apache not only don’t seem to care for their workers, but they have shown no concern for other operators and consumers.’
