by 'BLOW OUT In the last rwo months there has Dren a wave of industrial action on the largest oil-rig in the North Se — the Trate A' the maningement have the exclu- orner surprising secrase uve right of communication from the rig. That's why a group of ou rie workers are setting ap Blow Out, a rank and file newenter, and are writing this article for Socialist Challenge.
THE WORKFORCE In North Sea has changed over the ast four years. It has consolidated. Transient workers have people look to it as their permanent work: The anti-union policy of che oil companies is a direct response to the tremendots power of the strike weapon on the oil rigs.
It was the catering and accom modation workers on the Thistle A newho were the first to try out that power. Mick Maillins, a member of the strike committee tells of their grievances: inade quate starting and supplies of materials, very long hours ow pay - 82.5p per hour my wine canted to a were entitled to famils Catering Services, is one of the cmpiayer, Offshore hotch-potch of sub-contractors who make up the Joint Venture Mangement. The management rerused to negotiate and tried to intimidate. They even threatened to bring in the Royal Navy. But the elected strike committee responsible to the two daily mas meetings countered their threats by attempting to shut everything on the platform complex.
SUBSTANTIAL It remains to he seen whether the substantial gains won by the trike will be honoured Despite ationat management has gone back the agreement which included no victimisation and trade union recognition by sacking the strike Radership on the most trivial of grounds:
main workforce clectricians pipefitters. longest between 22-27 July. strike action The stakes ere high. The loss of money to ne company is enormous.
ved cut off food, mor wate and the sole source of enter(airment — movies Once again they were forced to -WHIT shop rewards committee formed the first strike mecting threatenowned
Magnus #
"THISTLE Dunlin -Tern # Heather Alayn Ai SHETLANDS 1* Brae Claymore # Buchan# SAndrew Forties * Auk!
W.Solevett
----- pull-quotes -----
# # statfiord Cormorant 3A 1*Brent- Hutton fi #NIMIAN