Dozens of workers set to benefit on Magnus offshore asset

Unite, the UK’s largest offshore union, has hailed its latest union recognition agreement in the offshore sector this time with North Sea operator EnQuest. 

Around 70 workers on the operator’s Magnus asset will now be represented by Unite in negotiations over enhancing jobs, pay and conditions through collective bargaining.

The workforce overwhelmingly backed Unite recognition on the Magnus asset. The Magnus is wholly owned by EnQuest and retains significant reserves which can sustain employment for the long-term. 

The workers set to benefit, perform various roles including: electrical, instrument, mechanical and operations technicians alongside control room operators.   

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The latest recognition agreement is another significant win for Unite.  It demonstrates that we continue to put the interests of the highly skilled offshore workers centre stage of our efforts to deliver better jobs, pay and conditions for working people.” 

Unite has delivered a number of recent wins for offshore workers including a further recognition agreement covering 250 workers with North Sea operator Apache alongside pay agreements with Adura Energy, a two-year pay deal for Sodexo workers at Sullom Voe, and an improved pension offer for over 400 Bilfinger workers.  

However, Unite workers employed by Bilfinger on North Sea assets operated by Ithaca Energy are currently involved in a live dispute. The latest round of industrial action is set to take place tomorrow (15 May). 

Around 20 workers are taking industrial action over the refusal by Ithaca Energy to extend a retention bonus worth up to £14,500 to Bilfinger workers on the Alba Floating Storage Unit (FSU) and its floating production facility (FPF)1.   

Unite industrial officer Stevie Davies, said: “Unite continues to clock up wins for oil and gas workers. Our union remains completely focused on protecting the interests of offshore workers especially as we see the absence of any just transition from politicians who continue to let down workers and communities dependent on the oil and gas industry.”  

ENDS 

Notes to Editors 

Unite launched a campaign to demand protection for oil and gas jobs and the communities those jobs sustain, from Scottish politicians ahead of the Holyrood elections - Keep The North Sea Working.  

The union is demanding a no compulsory redundancy pledge from politicians to preserve jobs, pay and conditions across the industry due to the absence of any just transition.  

For media enquiries please contact Andrew Brady on 07810157922. 

Email andrew.brady@unitetheunion.org Unite Scotland is the country’s biggest and most diverse trade union with around 150,000 members.