Cheap, slave-type ROV labour

Scott,

I agree with you whole heartedly. From what I can tell the "Pilot tech" positions have almost disappeared completely. I know of 3 different companies sending out trainees as PT. This was confirmed by 3 different supervisors on the jobs. I would love to join the union, but I don’t see how it will help if the companies have no integrity. Also how will the union rules be enforced globally?

I would like better rates, but an actual job would help 1st. I guess the supervisors are afraid of being replaced if they complain about the lack of qualified "underlings?" Please advise…

Thanks,
squiddy

Nice initiative by ScotBeve there. People need to wake up and quick!

Subsea 7 have already announced, internally to their staff, that they will no longer be taking on Ex-Pat trainees! It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to see where that will lead to in the the next few years. No ex-pat trainees means no ex-pat trainees being promoted to PT, No ex-pat PT’s being promoted to Supervisors… game over.

If you are ROV, or in a related vocation, and based or connected with the UK, you should consider joining the OILC branch of the RMT, getting access to the OILC discussion Forum, and receiving emailed updates and forum group updates.

It’s aim is to gather (under one roof) all those working offshore within North Sea Energy sector. Many of you reading this may be UK citizens living overseas. You might not be working in the North Sea at present however this should have no bearing on you helping to support this initiative.

The Forum is very well structured.

There is a Subsea Forum with sub boards for ROV, Inspection Co-ordinators, Offshore Survey.
In other boards are Drilling, Construction/Engineering, Catering, Floating Production, and Deck Crew (Deck Foremen, Riggers, crane ops)
The Divers also have a board (under Subsea) and are joining in ever increasing numbers as the word gets out that there is now a central point for discussing and coordinating our efforts. The largest Vocational group in the OILC forum at the moment is….. wait for it……. ROV with 37 board members and more joining daily. Remember these numbers only reflect those that have found and joined the OILC forum not the number of ROV members in the RMT which is a considerably higher number.

No longer do divers have to chat about union matters in one forum, ROV in another and the other vocations tag along. All OILC union related matters/discussions for UK offshore energy workers have finally been brought together.

Ultimately I see the Divers, ROV and other Subsea vocations working together to ensure that all are under an offshore agreement of one form or another.

There are a couple of simple ways froward here….
Join in, get with the plan and spread the word. Or, do nothing and wonder where your job went! If the divers can do it, the Noggie sector can do it and the Oz troops can do it then so can the UK ROV sector. Not only that, the more countries that join in the greater the chance of stamping out the cheap labour practices being employed by the likes of SSS7 (on our on doorstep!) OI and others.

If you live in Asia and you feel that this initiative may not be of help to you then think again. The bigger co’s want regulars but if they have to dump them off each time the boat goes into say… Norway, Oz or UK parts of the world it will start to become less cost effective for them to pursue this cheap labour policy.

Also, those of you that are British Citizens living overseas (at present), it would be to have a job to come back to wouldn’t it? So supporting your future is also a consideration.

I live outside of UK and was concerned that union membership would serve no useful purpose for me if indeed I was able to join.

Andy

Some good points of view there. It would be good if more people would be more open about this.

I also live outside the UK, plus I no longer work offshore, although our business is ROV/Subsea related.

For me I care not if I may benefit from this initiative personally, but for sure I want to help where I can to protect workers in our industry from the power of corporate management principles. Especially the likes of SS7 and others where it is very apparent that they are more than happy to walk over what they view as defenceless disorganised individuals. I say think again!

For others that may be reading this……

If you feel complacent enough to allow yourself, and your fellow countrymen, to be walked over by the likes of these companies then I feel sad for you. Think a little deeper than just your own needs and consider the bigger picture or you may regret sitting on the fence for many years to come.

Enough of my ranting for one day….. however…..tomorrow……

If you guys remember, about 2 years ago I predicted this situation when personnel resident in the UK stated that UK residents should be paid more than those resident elsewhere because their living costs are greater? I was then argueing that all ROV personnel of the same grade in the same company should be paid the same, regardless of nationality. Certain members here were against this idea.

But, seeing that I can join the OILC, I will be doing so as soon as I get home from offshore. As a South African national, I will join the campaign for fair pay for all, especially because I am being paid less than a British national at present and have always been, even when working alongside a Brit of the same grade on the same system.

Guys,

If you go to http://www.nokernok.com and read what benefits just joining OILC brings you – its worth the 15:77 a month just to know that your family would get an immediate pay out in the event of your death. You can bet that your own insurance companies will cock about and FCUK your dependants about. Access to legal advice etc its worth it.

Then add to that the power of collective bargaining – the divers have just got a guaranteed deal for 3 years – How many ROV guys are sitting on their arses moaning about the lower than normal rates?

The yearly membership fee is a days rate for a trainee!! – get you fingers out of your bums, stop bitching and sign up.

The OILC/RMT have just presented SS7 with their thoughts on the despicable practices being perpetrated by senior management. Now is the best possible time to stand up and be counted. If any companies are allowed to get away with this shit – we are all screwed – and worse, will only have ourselves to blame for our predicament.

Several people have been working hard to give us this opportunity to take our destiny into our own hands. If we fail them now we fail ourselves and you can kiss a large part of our industry and consequently our livelihoods goodbye.

You think I am exaggerating? SS7, Oceaneering and Sonsub are among a few very big players in a not so big game. If they are able to force our wages downwards and at the same time retain their huge profits they will see that as fair game, especially if we sit back and let them do it.

Come on guys, stop moaning and do something about it.

For all of our sakes.

Deepsea

A message to all the unionised clowns out there …wake up your coffees cold mate !!Firstly ,which country are you working in ?Do you believe you have the right to dictate who hires who in that particular part of the world ?If you dont like the way business is conducted there stay on your own hallowed soil and find employment where your union has jurisdiction .