Based on my direct experience I’ve started this thread so that I may express my low opinion of what I have learned about the UK union OILC/RMT over the last year or so and what bearing that may have on the UK North Sea ROV industry. (If you want the sort version: None!)
Yep.. as per the title is is very apparent that the OILC branch of the RMT, and the RMT leadership in London, have no interest in stepping out of their cosy little world and actually organising anything offshore. You can forget any initiatives coming out of the OILC/RMT that may be of help to the Offshore/ROV industry.
They keep talking about self organising and yet despite a large recent boost in members, a new branch forum to help keep all members in touch (Note: The branch had nothing to do with setting up and running the forum as it was set up/run by a couple of proactive members). The OILC branch and RMT offshore regional organiser pretty much shunned the forum and added very little by way of keeping the members advised on what (if anything) was going on. The members were most certainly better connected than they had ever been in the history of the OILC, but as far as the branch were concerned nothing had changed. It also became apparent that the branch had major issues internally… I was even abused in an email by branch chairman for asking too many questions and also suggesting that all was not well. I have the email on record.
The RMT ballot department screwed up the recent SS7 referendum ballot by dropping about 50% (of the names identified as eligible to be balloted, by the then OILC branch secretary) off the list. Why? Nobody will say. They were asked often enough but failed to give any reason.
The Offshore Grades Conference in Aberdeen held last month was a washout in the words of one RMT organiser. Even Bob Crow was a day late and day two of the so called two day conference didn’t happen!
Is the union funded well enough to be able to help the offshore industry?
You bet they are……
The OILC branch alone has something like 3500 North Sea members * £16/month * 12 months = £672,000 per year. Yep well over half a million quid! That doesn’t count numerous offshore members scattered around the country in other branches adding their 16quids in the pot each month!
It seems that the bulk of it is getting sucked up by the RMT to look after railway staff.
You can now knock some members off the above figure because I am aware of a few that have backed out of the RMT now. I’m sure there will be more to follow.
Can the OILC branch organise the North Sea?
Nope. One branch cannot organise what might potentially be up to 26,000 North Sea members. The OILC branch needs the power and resources of the RMT to pull that feat off. So if the branch can’t physically do it, and the RMT don’t want to, then it’s game over in my book.
Have I changed my tune?
Yes! Most certainly. In fact, based on my recent experience, a complete ‘U’ turn is more like it. Remember I was a diver and I fully supported the divers agreement.
I’m sure here there are some that might say… ‘I told you so‘.
But then what do they actually know about the internal workings of the OILC branch and the RMT to be able to back up that statement?
There are some that will generalise and say ‘unions do no good and ruin everything’... yet actors, football players, teachers and many other professions form unions. The Norwegian and Oz unions appear to have kept rates and conditions way up there for their offshore members. Higher rates and better conditions in our game will not bleed the oil companies dry… we all know that.
The UK divers have benefited, very nicely thank you, from an agreement for years.
Credit, where credit us due :tup:
One RMT organiser stood out for me like a bright beacon over the months. He is a person that can only give the union a good name in my book.
The (then) OILC branch secretary Neil Rothnie. He was batting on our side from day one. In the end he was squeezed out because of his proactive nature and resigned under pressure from the branch.
That left nobody in branch interested in us lot 🙁
We gave it our best shot. The OILC/RMT pissed all over us and yet the so called leaders still slept soundly at night.
So basically. Bugger them I say. The OILC will get no further support from me or this website however should anybody wish to post anything about unions, this board will remain open for them to do so as it is a general (global) union board and not an RMT dedicated board.
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