Scaffolders barred from Shetland Gas Plant
Rosalind GriffithsShetland Gas Plant main contractor Petrofac refused up to 60 scaffolders entry to the site on Saturday morning following a dispute flared up at lunchtime on Friday.
The Shetland Times understands that the men were protesting about their changing area being moved further from their workplace, which meant they had to walk to and from their lockers in the morning and evening before and after being bussed to work.
The men, employed by Bilfinger, insisted they wanted to be paid for this time. They left the site at 1pm on Friday, although no transport was provided for them back to Sella Ness.
Three hours later, the situation was resolved on a temporary basis. However, they were refused entry to the site on Saturday by Petrofac.
Regional organiser for the Unite union John Boland is due to meet the workforce on Monday.
Mr Boland issued this statement on Saturday: “Our Bilfinger scaffolder members did not walk off the job on Friday, they finished work after completing their contracted six hours for a Friday.
“They reported for work this morning as agreed with Bilfinger management, and were refused entry to the site by Petrofac.
“There have been a number of issues over the last few weeks for our Bilfinger scaffolder members working at the Shetland Gas Plant.
“They have been told, with no consultation; that they must share accommodation, get washed and changed in their own time, and had other restrictions put on them.
“This has unsurprisingly led to heightened tensions in the workforce.
“I will be in Shetland on Monday to try and find a resolution to these issues.”
On Sunday morning it was agreed Bilfinger scaffolder members would return to work in the afternoon, to allow discussions to take place on Monday.
Two years ago, trouble erupted when gas plant workers complained about having to share rooms in the 450-room accommodation building at Sella Ness.
David Spence
Is this an April Fools Joke ? lol
If Petrofac are paying these ‘ my legs are so tired from having to walk to and from the changing area ‘ workers for their food on site (lunch time) then it should charge them for this. I would also suggest if Pretrofac provide transport for these poor workers from having to walk to and from the changing area, it should charge for this as well.
I am would intrigued to know what other businesses in Shetland pay their workers for traveling to and from their house to their work?
Ronald Poleson
There are very few companys that pay travel time both ways, and its the same for changeing into/out off boiler suits/work clothes, these men are complaining for the sake of complaining, and as for the walk to and from work you just have to look at the SIC policy on how far the bairns has to walk to school everyday, i might be wrong but i think its two mileswhat ever the weather is, if this is right then you have 5 year olds walking farther than this MEN does. Toughen up guys
Andrew Smith
Princesses the lot of them. Always whining about something. Sack the lot
Brian Smith
Some cranks think the employer is always right.