Union leaders call on offshore workers to stand up for rights
STV: 10 August 2009
Union leaders are urging offshore workers to stand up for their rights as oil firms cut budgets in the face of the economic downturn. The RMT/OILC union is manning a stand at Aberdeen Airport to offer support to those concerned about their jobs.
RMT and OILC unions offering support to staff concerned about their jobs.
RMT General Secretary Bob Crow launched the stand. He said: "We are upping our game in an effort to assist workers through these difficult times. Aberdeen Airport has the biggest throughput of offshore workers in the UK and that's why we chose it as a location to kick off this campaign."
The union says many offshore firms are announcing cost cutting measures in response to the effects of significant reductions in investment brought about by the banking crisis and volatile oil prices. Project delays, restructuring and cuts to maintenance budgets all add up to extra pressure on staff, the RMT claim.
"We are being inundated with concerns bout wage cuts and redundancies and how these cuts may impact on health and safety," said Jake Molloy, RMT Regional Organiser.
He added: "While we will be using this exercise to provide information and support to workers, we will also be taking time to gather information about the effect of the cost cutting."