Hundreds laid off during Norwegian strike

Sept. 28, 2016
The Norwegian Oil & Gas Association said that 350 Norwegian workers have been laid off by Baker Hughes, Schlumberger, and Halliburton following a strike called by the Norwegian Union of Industry and Energy Workers.

Offshore staff

STAVANGER, NorwayThe Norwegian Oil & Gas Association said that 350 Norwegian workers have been laid off by Baker Hughes, Schlumberger, and Halliburton following a strike called by the Norwegian Union of Industry and Energy Workers (Industry Energy).

“The strike … has had major consequences for drilling and well operations on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS). The number of workers laid off as a result now exceeds the total who have actually downed tools,” the Norwegian Oil & Gas Association said.

Baker Hughes, Schlumberger, and Halliburton have laid off 350 people today, the association continued, noting that the majority worked for Baker Hughes.

Further layoffs are expected over the next few days in various companies directly or indirectly affected by the stoppage.

The strike began on Sept. 21 and has now lasted a week. Industry Energy has taken out about 300 of its members in Schlumberger Norge AS, Baker Hughes Norge AS, Halliburton AS, Oceaneering AS, and Oceaneering Asset Integrity AS.

The association said that companies affected by strike action no longer have work for all their employees after shutting down jobs on offshore installations.

“The companies are already in a financially challenging position,” observes Jan Hodneland, lead negotiator for the Norwegian Oil and Gas Association. “We find it very regrettable that companies and employees end up in a position where jobs are put at risk.”

Norwegian Oil and Gas has made a pay offer to Industry Energy’s members covered by the oil service agreement which gives them a rise in line with that received by the lead sector.

09/28/2016

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