While I am please for my friends and former colleagues on the North Sea for their recent improvement in pay and conditions, I cannot let this all go but without spelling out a word or two of caution. The oil companies, whether you like it or not, are supremely powerful. They do not like unions (look at the O.I.L.C.) and they especially do not like unions who feel they can hold them to ransom (remember Bristow). While they may agree that money should be spent on the pilots they will still turn the screw on the companies to keep the prices down. Any kind of industrial action that affects them and they will come down heavily against you. The last thing they want is sub-contractors who feel they have a whip hand.The oil companies can manipulate Governments and will do so to win. So my friends, please proceed with caution and 'bon chance'.
