Wood Group working with unions over staff disputes

Oil and gas: Firm maintains contract changes are necessary in climate

Union chiefs are continuing “constructive” talks with energy service giant Wood Group as both sides continue to look for a resolution to their current North Sea dispute.

Hundreds of workers downed tools on planned strike action days last month in the disagreement between workers and the firm about changes to pay and conditions.

Earlier this month, further industrial action across seven of Shell’s North Sea assets was suspended and both sides went back to the negotiating table.

Employees of Aberdeenbased Wood Group have previously said changes to their contracts would have a “significant” impact on their income.

But Wood Group said the changes were necessary in the changing oil price environment.

Since 2014, the company has had to let around 10,000 staffmembers go as part of its cost saving effort.

A joint statement from both sides in the dispute yesterday said: “Wood Group and the Unite and RMT unions continue to hold constructive discussions.”

Last week, it was revealed two days of positive talks had taken place.

Last month’s industrial action affected the Brent Alpha, Brent Bravo, Brent Charlie, Curlew, Gannet, Nelson and Shearwater platforms.

An overtime ban was

“Wood Group and the unions continue to hold discussions”

called on July 25, followed a day later by a 24-hour-long strike by about 400 Wood Group employees.

There were then some three-hour stoppages, with a subsequent 48- hour strike halted after a day as the two sides in the dispute agreed to resume talks.

Union bosses said their members were facing cuts in pay and allowances of up to 30%, while Wood Group insisted it was committed to sustaining North Sea jobs. Wood Group turns over about £4.5billion annually from operations in more than 50 countries.