Composite D (Covering Motions 14 & 15)
Fighting for Offshore Workers’ Jobs & Safety
“That this Congress is concerned that the offshore energy sector is in a crisis driven by private ownership and by a political failure to legislate in the interests of workers or the public. Congress notes that in the offshore sector, fair pay and conditions are not mandatory, a Just Transition Plan does not exist, licenses for exploiting Scotland’s offshore energy reserves do not provide for public ownership or local employment across the supply chain, non-emitting applications of oil and gas are ignored and a digital offshore training passport has not been delivered.
“Congress is deeply concerned by declining safety standards in the oil and gas sector when workers are delivering record profits and dividends to international shareholders, oil and gas companies continue to benefit from the ongoing supply crisis, and companies seek to further increase margins by squeezing supply chains. Whilst it may be seen as good business practice, this behaviour is unhealthy for the industry in the long term as it only serves to reduce safety margins and resilience.
“Congress notes that persistent North Sea hydrocarbon releases, a serious backlog in safety critical maintenance work and restricted offshore helicopter transport capacity exist today.
“In the oil and gas helicopter business, a continuing lack of investment has resulted in a reliance on a single major helicopter type (S92) but this popular and reliable workhorse is showing its age and is beginning to suffer reduced serviceability due to a lack of spares production. If that type is taken out of service for any reason, it would result in major problems for oil rig personnel changeovers and ultimately could affect production and therefore energy security.
“In Bristow Helicopters, BALPA is in a pay dispute, despite the company making record profits. BALPA members who provide services to the oil and gas rigs as well as critical search and rescue services have not benefited from a meaningful pay increase in a decade.
“There should be significant and immediate investment by oil and gas companies in order to maintain resilience and safety within their supply chains. This would ensure job security and crucially, energy security as we progress into an uncertain future.
‘‘Congress believes that the culture of continuous improvement in offshore safety demanded in the Cullen Report into the Piper Alpha disaster is a Just Transition issue which duty holders and employers cannot continue to ignore.
‘‘Congress welcomes Transition Economics’ report that public ownership could create 27,000 new offshore energy jobs by 2030 in North East Scotland alone. Congress notes that state owned energy companies from China, Norway, France, Thailand, Lithuania and other countries have significant and profitable stakes in oil and gas and renewable energy projects in waters off Scotland’s coastline.
‘‘Congress calls on the STUC General Council to commit to campaign for:
- Mandatory Fair Pay Agreements in the offshore energy sector, in line with the Labour Party’s New Deal for Workers.
- Public ownership of offshore energy production, storage and distribution, as part of a Green New Deal that increases jobs in Scotland.
- Effective safety regulations for all North Sea workers in a changing industry.
- Investment in the frontline union members who work in some of the most inhospitable conditions.
Mover: National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers
Seconder: BALPA
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