Offshore union Unite has confirmed its members at the Shetland Gas Plant will carry out the first of a series of 24-hour strikes tomorrow.
Aker Solutions staff at the plant, operated by Total, will down tools in a dispute which earlier this week also kicked off a series of stoppages at three North Sea platforms over offshore rotas.
Petrofac and Aker Solutions workers voted to down tools over plans to switch from a two weeks on, three weeks off (2:3) rota to a 3:3, 3:4 schedule, which Unite said was “hated” by workers.
The gas plant, which relates to Aker Solutions staff, carried out a ballot which saw 95.1% of workers vote for strike action.
Tomorrow is the first of a series of five 24-hour strikes, taking place alongside stoppages at the Alwyn, Dunbar and Elgin platforms also operated by Total.
Around 25 workers will down tools tomorrow, as part of the wider strikes which include roughly 250 staff for the two companies.
Last week the energy services firms said they had entered into a consultation with workers over new contracts, but Unite described this as “scandalous” step to “terminate and re-engage” workers on new contracts.
Unite said it had proposed a new offer at the gas plant last Wednesday to Aker Solutions, which was rejected.
The final day of action at the gas plant is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, May 8.
John Clark, Unite regional industrial officer, said: “Unite members at the Shetland Gas Plant stand ready to fight against the outrageous actions taken by Aker.
“The company at the bidding of Total have behaved with zero regard or thought for their employees. Unite members’ dedication and professionalism has been rewarded by an unprofessional and callous attitude through the imposition of redundancy notices, new contracts and the hated 3:3,3:4 rota system.
“Unite will resolutely defend the interests of our members in the forthcoming dispute, and tomorrow’s day of action is just the start.”
Both Aker Solutions and Petrofac have said they are committed to engaging with offshore teams, trade unions and customer Total to bring the process to a close safely and securely.
Last year crew employed by Total on the same three platforms went on strike over rota changes on several occasions.
