Rig workers strike over conditions
Workers on a north sea oil rig staged an unofficial strike amid claims they are being forced to work under a “painful regime”.
Around 250 employees on the Mariner platform, 95 miles east of Shetland, downed tools for four hours in the morning, and again last night.
Contractor Aker Solutions, which is working for operator Statoil, said it is aware of the situation.
An on-shore spokesman for the workers said 200 Aker Solutions staff were involved in the strike, alongside 50 from energy resourcing company, Stork.
The spokesman said: “We’ve had enough of coming out here and being treated like dirt.
“They think that if they treat us badly we’ll put up with it. They’re wrong, it’s time to over throw the regime and change it.
“We are taking matters into our own hands, if they want a fight then let’s have it.”
He added that the staff were campaigning against “poor working conditions, poor management, possible blacklisting, having an offer of a bonus removed and being expected to work under a painful regime.”
A spokeswoman for Stork Technical Services said the firm was: “Aware of the situation on the Mariner and is in dialogue with its personnel to resolve the situation “
The Mariner platform is part of one of the largest new offshore developments in UK waters for more than a decade.