Offshore Workers Could Lose Tea Breaks Under New Proposals
Offshore workers are being balloted over proposed changes to pay and working conditions. The Offshore Contractors Association (OCA) is proposing an additional 15 minutes working.
The move is seen as the equivalent of scrapping the tea break.
The proposed changes come after fresh proposals were agreed by both OCA and unions earlier this year.
The upcoming ballot by unions is asking it’s members whether they will accept the changes or reject them, the vote closed on November 4th.
It has been reported that unions have been calling for an increase in pay, improved sick pay and the introduction of paid travel to the employers’ onshore base.
Workers are being asked to accept changes to their shifts which are currently 10 hours and 30 minutes.
Instead, staff are being asked to accept an increase to 10 hours 45 minutes.
Chief executive Paul Atkinson said the OCA offer would see an increase in “direct productive pay” for members, but curb non-productive costs which are an “inhibitor” to the industry.
The changes if accepted will be implemented from April 2018, as a result of these changes workers would get an increase in sick pay for weeks one to 13 of £1.47, while in weeks 14 to 28 it would increase by £2.81.
