GMB and members of the Association of British Independent Exploration companies (BRINDEX) today (Monday 12 August) warned the UK government not to ignore the voices of the UK’s oil and gas workers – and urged Ministers to engage the sector in meaningful discussions.
GMB and BRINDEX agreed a Memorandum of Understanding last November, committing to “represent workers’ voice and employer concerns to better engage policy makers” and to “make the case for pro-jobs policies and strengthening energy security.”
Meetings between union and industry representatives in July discussed how to further develop the better cooperation outlined in the MOU.
Today’s warning follows government proposals for the sector’s fiscal regime in the Autumn Budget and uncertainty about future licencing, provoking widespread concern across North Sea operations about a cliff-edge threat for investment, jobs and skills, and vital carbon capture development.
GMB visited the Armada Kraken offshore production facility in May, representing a step forward for better cooperation between the sector’s oil and gas independents and the UK’s energy union.
Further visits are planned this summer to infrastructure owned by some of the UK’s leading North Sea producers, including Serica Energy, EnQuest, and others.
Gary Smith, GMB General Secretary, said: “GMB is a proud and unambiguous energy union, and we want the voices of our offshore workers to be heard loud and clear in the corridors of power over the decisions affecting their livelihoods.
“The government is rightly focused on a growth agenda after years of instability and industrial decline, and the transition presents a huge opportunity to unleash investment for jobs, infrastructure, and security.
“But that means creating the right conditions to turn that ambition into reality, and better cooperation between unions, industry, and government is fundamental to this because ‘business as usual’ won’t work.”
Robin Allan, Chairman of BRINDEX, said: “Hard working families sustained by the oil and gas sector across the UK’s nations and regions deserve to be treated with respect from government – and so do our independent operators who support these livelihoods.
“Our ongoing engagement with GMB through these latest offshore visits recognises that if the transition is going to be a success, then change must be done with the people doing so much to keep the lights on, homes warm, and industry running – not to them.
“That’s why we are urging the government to work with us and engage in meaningful discussions with the very people on whom they depend to help accelerate the UK’s industrial transition, growth, and energy security agendas.”
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