1,300 Offshore Workers Stage 48-Hour Strike

Thousands of offshore workers are downing tools across dozens of platforms today in the "biggest North Sea stoppage in a generation".

Unite the Union announced last week 1,300 North Sea workers will stage industrial action beginning today, causing 'severe problems' for contractors and operators including Shell, BP, Harbour Energy, CNR International, EnQuest and Taqa.

It begins what they're describing as a 'tsunami' of strike action in the North Sea, following on from a year-long dispute over pay and conditions. 

General secretary at Unite, Sharon Graham, said: "Oil and gas companies are enjoying record windfall profits, and they can easily afford to give our members a decent pay rise. 

"The 48-hour strike action will only be the start of the tsunami of industrial unrest if contractors and operators refuse to give our offshore members the better jobs, pay and conditions they deserve. 

"The scale of corporate greed in the offshore sector has to be challenged, and it will be by Unite."

However, Shell don't anticipate the stoppage to have an impact on their North Sea platforms.

A spokesperson for Shell said: "We support constructive dialogue between the unions and contracting companies to reach a mutually agreed resolution." 

The action includes various roles of riggers working for Bilfinger UK Limited, Petrofac, Facilities Management, Stork Technical Services, and Sparrows Offshore Services. 

Shauna Wright is the regional officer at Unite: