Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
‘Black cloud’ over oil and gas plant
WORKERS at an energy plant i n Montrose say job losses and growing uncertainty over their future has left a “mega black cloud” hanging over them.
A period of consultation is currently under way with the workforce at GE Oil and Gas.
It has emerged that 50 workers have already left or are currently working their notice.
It is also understood that around 30 more jobs will go in the latest round of cuts at the Brent Avenue and Charleton Road sites.
The workforce reductions come despite the company investing £13.5 million in its Montrose facilities.
One worker said: “A huge majority of the workers here have worked in oil and gas all of their lives and don’t know anything else.
“I personally cannot see how a plant this size can carry out the work demands after so many leave.
“What’s happening has left a mega black cloud hanging over the plant.
“It’s too close to Christmas for comfort.
“The mood around the plant has been down for many months now and the workshops are very quiet.
“It’s hard for a lot of employees to find the desire to apply themselves to work when they know that redundancy is right around the corner.
“If anyone was to say they’re not worried about the security of their job they would be lying.”
The worker added: “All these jobs potentially being lost in the blink of an eye will hit Montrose hard. I fear there are many more job losses still to come.”
The latest news was delivered as GE announced it was combining its petroleum-related operations with oilfield services supplier Baker Hughes in a deal valued at £26 billion.
The new company will be one of the industry’s largest players, bringing together a portfolio of capabilities spanning oilfield services, equipment manufacturing and technology.
A GE Oil and Gas spokesman said the long-term decline in the oil price, and delays and cancellations of major projects had resulted in a drastic reduction in available work for t he global industry.
He said the company was proposing action to reduce the cost structure of the business, including some workforce reductions and consolidation of manufacturing and service operations.