Bristow layoffs, Scotia pay dispute?
From the ABZ P&J.
More jobs to go at Bristow
by Steve Sinclair and David Perry
More jobs are to be lost at Bristow Helicopters after the company announced a major review of resources and staffing yesterday.
Bristow management has refused to disclose how many may face the axe in Aberdeen and Shetland, saying it is too soon to know. The figure could be about 100, as the company's trade has slumped heavily over the past year.
The news came as a shock to many. It is only 10 months since the company shed 99 workers.
Some 500 workers split between Aberdeen and Scatsta, in Shetland, are under threat. Some were informed last week of the latest consultation process which, the company says, is the result of current estimates of future demand for helicopter services.
Ten months ago, Bristow predicted a 35% decrease in North Sea activity.
The likelihood of further job losses comes hard on the heels of a series of major disappointing announcements which have affected Scotland, ranging from retail-clothing giant C&A – 48 jobs lost locally and 4,800 nationally – to major UK employer British Aerospace (losing 3,500) and Blue Circle (losing 350).
The Manufacturing, Science and Finance union regional officer, Gordon Casey, said he was aware that the company was going to be doing the review and was confident the union would work with the company.
He said: "We have a partnership agreement with Bristow and will be working through that to mitigate any impact and hopefully ensure that any redundancies are voluntary."
Staff at Bristow said they were completely in the dark regarding areas under review but added that the official consultation was not to begin until next month.
Bristow chief executive Keith Chanter said: "We will do all we can to minimise job losses, but there will inevitably be some."
Aberdeen Central Labour MP Frank Doran urged the North Sea oil industry to be more sensitive to the needs of the helicopter industry because of safety issues.
"If these are engineering jobs that affect the safety factor, I would be very concerned."
Mr Doran said helicopter firms faced the same squeeze as other offshore contractors imposed by the industry when the price of crude collapsed and complained that the squeeze has not yet been lifted despite the soaring price of oil.
"What is happening is a sad result of the way in which the oil industry is run because companies like this have virtually no negotiating power and have to accept the rules laid down by the big oil giants."
A ballot conducted by management at Scotia Helicopters has done little to resolve a grievance between the company and its 700 employees.
A merger some time ago between former rivals British International Helicopters and Bond has left sections of the workforce with large differences in rates of pay.
Earlier this month, staff unanimously rejected management plans on the harmonisation of wages. The dispute took a fresh turn ten days ago when management wrote to all employees outlining its harmonisation proposals and asked workers to vote for or against its offer.
Replies were to be signed, dated and returned by June 14.
Backed by the MSF union, the workers were urged to bin the company's ballot papers and reject the offer.
MSF's Gordon Casey said the company ballot had gone ahead and had achieved a 40% return.
"The company say this means four out of five voted to accept the company's proposals. That means 112 people voted Yes and 25 voted No.
"It also means 209 of the workforce did not vote at all – 60% have taken no part in the ballot.
"They are saying this is an overwhelming endorsement of their proposals.
"Obviously our view is different, when 60% follow our advice and take no part."
He added that representatives in the joint trade union committee at the company have been collecting letters from workers who wish to let the company know they don't accept its proposals.
Mr Casey added: "At the moment, they have 163 people in Aberdeen who are against the plan. What we need to see now is whether the company will pay any heed to the letters from these individuals."
A spokesman for Scotia Helicopters said the ballot was an overwhelming Yes vote for the company's proposals, adding: "So far, there has been no further representation from the unions. The ball is in their court."