ABZ P&J. 4 July 2000
Bristow reshape puts 80 jobs at risk
by Leslie Kraft-Burke
Bristow Helicopters confirmed yesterday that up to 80 jobs will be lost in Aberdeen and Shetland as a result of the company's restructuring.
A company spokesman was not certain how many staff would be made redundant until the end of the month-long review process, but he said as many redundancies as possible would be voluntary.
Scottish National Party MSPs in the North-east are concerned at possible further job losses and safety issues if BP Amoco goes ahead with plans to replace stand-by vessels with helicopters.
Bristow revealed yesterday that, in addition to the staff reduction, it intended to trim its fleet of helicopters from 17 to 12. The company maintains that will not result in a reduction of aircrew.
A Manufacturing, Science and Finance union spokesman said that could change by the end of the group's review process.
Bristow told union officials and staff that it anticipated making a substantial loss on its operations next year. It emphasised that urgent remedial action was required.
Del Tarn, employees' convener for the MSF union, said of the planned job losses: "We are disappointed at the numbers and will be trying hard to reduce them."
Bristow has 500 workers split between Aberdeen (445) and Scatsta in Shetland (55).
The staffing cuts will be in the firm's engineering, passenger logistics, traffic, baggage, freight, ramp and flight operations departments.
Changes brought about by the restructuring are to be implemented by mid-August.
The firm, which is one of the UK's largest helicopter operators, predicted a 35% decrease in its North Sea activity as it shed 99 workers about 10 months ago.
Bristow also faces legal action from 13 people claiming unfair dismissal from the company. The former workers were laid off from the Aberdeen (operation?).
A company spokesman confirmed that litigation regarding that matter was ongoing.
Three SNP MSPs – Brian Adam, Richard Lochhead and Andrew Welsh – were meeting BP Amoco officials to discuss its proposed offshore safety arrangements.
Mr Adam said the meeting was productive but inconclusive.
"The jury is still out on whether stand-by fleets can be replaced with a helicopter service."
"We did, however, receive a commitment from BP that it would meet with the Emergency Response and Rescue Vessel Association (ERRVA) which, up to now, they have not said they would do."
He added that it did not appear that BP's helicopter plan could yet cope with administering adequately to an immediate incident offshore.
While the ERRVA estimates the BP plan could lay up 129 vessels and put at risk 3,000 jobs, Mr Adam said BP's estimates involved a net reduction of 200 jobs.
He added that that would involve an initial reduction of 400 to 500 jobs, but the creation of about 200 positions.
Mr Adam said that BP was to answer some of the MSPs' questions in writing.
Aberdeen Central Labour MP Frank Doran is calling a meeting of safety vessel owners to hear their reaction to BP Amoco's proposals for the helicopter-based service.
He said last night he hoped other city MPs would join him for the meeting on Friday week in Aberdeen and made it clear that, although he wants BP Amoco's case heard, he is backing neither side.
Mr Doran said: "I want to hear from the individual companies how they are going to be affected and encourage a dialogue with them.
"I am not supporting the vessel owners or BP Amoco – but I do want to see improvements in North Sea safety."
The BP scheme has run into opposition since the oil operator announced plans at the end of May to overhaul its North Sea safety cover.
Since then, the company has been conducting a consultation process with the workforce.
A BP Amoco spokesman said the plan was still in its conceptual stages.