Unions demand crash answers

OFFSHORE UNION leaders will meet in Dundee today, anxious for answers about the crash which caused a Super Puma helicopter to ditch into the North Sea earlier this month.

More than two dozen activists from the RMT union — including general secretary Bob Crow — will discuss the latest failure at the transport helicopter firm as part of their bi-annual congress in the city.

The two- day event, at Dundee’s Apex hotel, will also consider pay and conditions in the offshore industry, and will feature contributions from all parts of the offshore workforce.

Offshore industry organiser Jake Molloy said he was waiting for answers from the helicopter transit firm in the wake of the grounding of the its fleet.

“There will be a mix of drivers, catering workers, engineers, maintenance workers and different groups from all across the sector meeting in Dundee,” he said.

“There’s widespread concern about helicopter flying, and specifically with Bond.

“However, I will be able to report to them that we have submitted a number of concerns to Bond and that we are anticipating an early meeting with the managing director to discuss those concerns.

“There have been two engine failure incidents in the last few months. They are looking at their operations and they will come back to us with a briefing.”

The conference also comes in the wake of the massive gas leak at the Elgin platform in the North Sea, and at the same time as the RMT is balloting offshore caterers for a possible strike over pay.

Mr Crow added: “This gathering in Dundee of our activists from across the offshore industry is timely and will give us a perfect opportunity to address the recent issues that have been dominating the headlines on safety and security and to formulate a coordinated union strategy that takes us forward.”