Workers' Strike NEWS

Norwegian offshore workers on Tuesday began a strike that will reduce oil and gas output, the union leading the industrial action told Reuters. The strike, in which workers are demanding wage hikes to compensate for rising inflation, comes amid high oil and gas prices, with supplies of natural gas to Europe especially tight after Russian export cutbacks. "The strike has begun," Audun Ingvartsen, the leader of the Lederne trade union said in an interview.

French supermajor Total has announced the restart of its Gonfreville refinery in France’s Normandy region. Operations at the 253,000 barrel-per-day refinery were disrupted due to a week-long strike that affected output and deliveries. The CGT union of France put off the on-going strike on Thursday evening. A Total spokeswoman confirmed the news, stating that the deliveries had resumed on Friday.

Pay and bonus dispute has led to a two-day strike in Total's refineries and petrochemical facilities in France. This has been initiated by CGT trade union of France and may be extended if the demands are not met. The date of strike will be Nov. 21 and Nov. 22. The trade union has complained that though Total has reported profits but has maintained a freeze on bonuses.

Apache Corporation has joined Shell and other major players to scrap the infamous there by three rota pattern in the North Sea. With effect from the first quarter of 2019, all staff members on Apache’s operated assets will shift to the 2 by 3 rota pattern. Apache’s decision is in response to “employee feedback, an improved oil price environment and the need to remain competitive in the current market”.

Amid the entire dispute that’s been going on between Total and its workers at North Sea, Unite has urged the CEO of the oil major to intervene in the matter. The letter addressed to Total CEO demonstrated workers’ dissent to the new rota pattern. Unite’s letter has come after yesterday’s announcement from Shell about plans of ending the “hated” 3/3 rotas in the central North Sea.

Supermajor Total yesterday forwarded a “final offer” to workers union, Unite for suspending strikes on the North Sea rigs. Talks between Unite and Total were held yesterday at Acas, the independent arbitration service provider arranging the talks. The Unite trade union members will vote on the deal on Monday, while agreeing to call off industrial action on the day. A spokesman for Total E&P confirmed handing out revised final offer.

Terming it “way off from agreement”, Unite workers have rejected the revised pay offered by French supermajor, Total. Workers on North Sea platforms entered a dispute in July over plans by Total to enforce three weeks on, three weeks off (3/3) working patterns. According to Unite, further strikes will be organized if the meeting scheduled for Thursday doesn't give fruitful results.

Strikes at the North Sea assets of French oil giant, Total will continue for today, with more planned in the upcoming days. Unite rejected a request from Total last Thursday to append the action while considering new proposals. The firm recently came in a dispute with workers over shift in rotas to 3-on 3-off. Total recently acquired Maersk Oil, and moved to the new rota pattern to accomplish targets.

Workers have went for a strike at three of Total’s North Sea platform of oil and gas, namely, Elgin, Dunbar and Alwyn over the issue of changes in their pay and working rotas. Though the workers had a talk with the company on Thursday but they still decided for a 24-hour strike on Monday. Furthermore, the strikes are planned for September 3 and 17, October 1, 15 and 29.

Staff working at Total’s Shetland Gas Plant yesterday accepted an improved pay deal from the oil major. The improved pay covers a 15% increase in the base salary alongwith a “significant” retention bonus. Total also agreed to the retention of 3/3 rota on the basis of 168 working days, inclusive of 2 weeks of holiday. The firm has assured no negative change in the rota for three years.

Oil workers at Total’s North Sea platforms yesterday shut down the production, in response to labor disruption. According to a regulatory report by the company, 13 million cu m gas flow has been cut on Monday as a result of the strike. The company has issued a statement saying that they are committed to consult with the workforce and ensure overall safety with improved efficiency of operations.

Due to absolutely no response to their demand for higher wages and pension benefits, a union of Norwegian oil and gas rig workers’ have decided to escalate their strike unless employers made concessions. The Safe union is looking forward to 901 more workers to join the indefinite strike from midnight. The employees who will join the strike are staff of Saipem, Transocean, and others.