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Bristows making redundancies in UK very soon?

I would appreciate it if anyone can tell me if there's any truth in this rumour?

It would appear that the offshore helicopter companies in the UK may be about to undergo certain changes, and after all of the improvements in terms and conditions over the last few years, that will all be lost and a return to worse T's & C's will become the norm.

:sad:

Although not directly related to the original post, I have just been chatting to a friend who works in the Ninian field and he tells me they are about to cut their flights from 18 a week to 11.

Bristow Redundancies

Heard this might happen from a trusted source a month or so ago and now seems to be happening... I heard that mainly the UK and International (West Africa!!) will be targeted but not sure about the Gulf of Mexico. The GOMEX as quite a few spare pilots but has just stopped hiring.

Hoping that pilots will not be affected by cuts.

Bristow

West Africa? With Aero Contractors cratering, Caverton down to maybe one helicopter, Evergreen spinning its wheels, Bristow was the last pillar of respectable operations in Nigeria and was taking all the significant volume of work there. I would have thought that all the North Sea furloughed pilots would finally be sampling a warm work assignment, and fleshing out their repertoire of tales to impress barmaids and copilots.

Malabo,

It used to be the upwardly mobile young co-joes coming for their "command" time or the old farts that had need for a place to hide that staffed Bristow Nigeria with British Pilots.

You reckon hard times might lever some of Aberdeen's Finest off their roost up there and force them to seek warmer climes in search of a pay cheque?

Oh....won't they be in for a very rude shock!

According to the Memorandum sent to Bristow from Richard Burman the reductions have already been made in Nigeria and the next area where the axe will fall will be UK and Norway unless more contracts are won. It certainly looks as if the hard times are coming - again :{

From BALPA website:

Quote:

PILOTS CALL FOR ACTION ON NORTH SEA JOB LOSSES

Commenting on the announcement from Bristow Helicopters, the largest operator in the North Sea, that they are being forced to make up to 30 of their helicopter pilots redundant, Jim McAuslan, General Secretary of BALPA (British Airline Pilots' Association) said:

'Talks between BALPA and the company start on Friday.

'The news comes as a disappointment, but BALPA has developed an approach to tackling the impact of the economic downturn that has 4 key stages:

1. pressure testing the employers financial claims that cuts have to be made

2. looking at alternatives to compulsory redundancy such as early retirement packages and offers of part time working

3. ensuring that if compulsory redundancies are necessary they are dealt with by the industry-standard method of
Last In- First Out and

4. supporting individual members through the trauma of compulsory redundancy.

'BALPA's approach is to avoid having to proceed to stage 3, and will be working hard to achieve that. Our relationship with Bristow has been good in the good times, and these difficult times will test its resilience. The signs to date are encouraging.'

Standing back from this specific announcement Jim McAuslan said "the announcement raises broader concerns about the supply chain in the North Sea. It would appear to BALPA that the Oil and Gas companies continue to make huge profits and yet are remorselessly squeezing businesses all the way down the supply chain.

'There is a real danger that this approach could squeeze many businesses out of existence or force businesses into cutting corners. This boom and bust approach should be a concern to everyone who cares about a sustainable and safe industry in the North Sea.

'Politicians should take special note if Scotland is to retain the strategic wherewithal to tap its natural resources'

Sorry 3D, If I delete the comment will it affect your quote?
O

O
Not at all, I will remove my post. Confused that's all! Not too hard with me admitted.:)
3D

The press release on the BALPA website has been removed, as the numbers quoted where inaccurate. The rest of the release, however, was accurate in its 'attack' on the oil companies.

The total cost of helicopter operations for one year on the North Sea is probably less than 5% of the oil companies total transport bill, which in turn is no more than 5% of the oil companies out goings. Basically, they pay peanuts, small change. Our total costs are probably less than the profit generated during one day's trading of oil company shares on the stock market. :ugh:

bondu

Not a problem 3D, a badly worded post by me. I remember well getting my redundancy, I was lucky and the new fresh start in pastures new gave me a chance to add to the skill base and tackle new challenges. The move away from ABX and UK was great for the family.
I only mentioned the 139 because I know that it’s a machine that is popular and that vacancies do exist just now in some parts of the world, not really relevant on this Bristow thread though. 1999 was my year.
O
:ok:

I got made redundant in 1991 (BIH Maxwell era). It was ****!!!

i hear that double bogey!!! i was a '99 redundee!!!!

I was made redundant in 92, you're right it really is the pits, hence why I no longer work in the offshore sector, too many hatchet men running the companies now, hire, fire, hire, fire. At least there is some work still about for us engineering types who are prepared to move away from Scotland.

Damn I'm glad I left offshore driving a couple of years ago. Sad to hear about the redundancies and for the colleagues being affected by it.

At a Bristow internal meeting with staff it was said that the company wanted to cut $75m overhead out of the business.

They should take a longer term view, right now it's quarter to quarter cash consideration only. They ignore how much it costs to retrain etc.

Bristow redundancies?

Hecate - any more details of today's redundancy plan?

Quote:

Originally Posted by terminus mos

cut $75m

That's globally in the group from what I have been told, each business unit will be responsible for a proportion of that.

Si

That's what I understand as well Biggles. Has Bristow lost any work in Australia due to the downturn?