POOR conditions in the offshore sector have bolstered trade union activity, members of the Offshore Coordinating Group of unions (OCG) told a Scottish TUC fringe meeting today. 

Representatives from Nautilus, Unite and transport union RMT spoke of low wages, poor industrial relations and shocking working conditions in the offshore sector. 

But this context has led to increased trade union membership and organising, they said. 

“A few years ago you wouldn’t get members to put their heads above the parapet,” Unite organiser John Boland noted, praising the collaborative work of unions.

“Working together scares the employers – it’s the last thing they want.”

The RMT’s Jake Molloy told of a recent example in which workers on “floating hotels” were offered voluntary redundancy due to a lack of work. Despite reassurances that they would be considered for future work, jobs were then advertised in Poland and Croatia at an average of 40 per cent less than their previous pay.

“We talk about a just transition,” he said. “But things are as unjust as it gets in these sectors.”

Panellists and delegates were unanimous on the need to oppose unscrupulous bosses and not foreign labour as they turned to possible solutions. 

Unite organiser Roz Foyer drew on successful organising among migrant workers in the food industry as a potential blueprint for action.

Meanwhile STUC deputy general secretary Dave Moxham emphasised the need to shift perceptions, telling the fringe: “We need to ensure the Scottish government is addressing fair work in traditional offshore and other sectors, instead of the assumption that they’re all good jobs and that we just need to worry about new renewable [jobs].”