SAFE, a Norwegian Union of Energy Workers, has held a meeting on May 21, 2015, with representatives of Norwegian Shipowners’ Association (NSA) to discuss wages.
According to SAFE, negotiations for mid-term settlement with NSA regarding employees on offshore units and drilling platforms on the Norwegian shelf broke down yesterday because they had not been offered anything substantial.
“The Norwegian Shipowners’ Association didn’t have a dime to offer our members,” said SAFE leader Hilde-Marit Rysst .
NSA says that the parties were unable to reach an agreement and the settlement has to be brought before the National Mediator in Oslo.
“Drilling contractors are in a particularly difficult market situation with layoffs and dismissals of employees, both offshore and onshore. At this stage there is no immediate signs for market improvements and the customers are pushing for cost reductions.
“We are disappointed that we did not succeed in establishing a common understanding with the unions. The industry needs to prolong the current agreement until the main settlement in 2016,” says Jakob Korsgaard from Maersk Drilling, Chief negotiator for NSA.
Offshore Energy Today Staff; Image: NSA