Helicopter Landing Officer (HLO) positions on multiple platforms are advertised along with other safety critical roles which are essential to maintaining regulatory requirements in align with an installations safety case. These positions are currently occupied by Wood Group personnel.

One offshore worker who called regarding the positions was advised that Shell was hiring as part of a contingency plan to prevent disruptions to their assets, should the strikes go ahead.

The move comes after negotiations between the Unions and Wood Group collapsed Friday, resulting in John Boland of Unite the Union stating “It is now in the hands of Wood Group workers to make the decision whether to commence the first wave of strikes in the North Sea for a generation”.

Wood Group workers have today voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action with 97 percent of RMT Union workers voting in favour of an immediate strike.

The ballot stems from Wood Groups proposal to cut pay by up to 22 percent, although Unite the Union claims that factoring in other allowances and benefits proposed by the operator, the cut realistically amounts to near 30 percent.

This crisis comes shortly after Wood Group was awarded a three-year contract to extend its support of Shells Offshore Assets; Shearwater, Gannet, Nelson, Curlew, Brent Alpha, Brent Bravo, Brent Charlie and Brent Delta.

A Shell spokesperson gave the following statement:

“Following the announcement earlier this afternoon that Unite and RMT members have voted for industrial action in the North Sea, Paul Goodfellow, Shell UK and Ireland Upstream Vice President has made the following comment:

We are disappointed that the dispute has reached this stage.  We hope that Wood Group’s employees and management can resolve their issues. Our priority is to ensure that the safety of our people and assets will not be compromised during any industrial action.”