“Supplier companies have been particularly hard-hit by the decline in activity on the Norwegian continential shelf [NCS],” observes Jan Hodneland, lead negotiator at Norwegian Oil and Gas. “Many of them have been through a substantial restructuring in recent years.
“That’s involved big cost cuts and constant downsizing. These companies can’t cope with further growth in their costs. That would make the position worse both for them and for the people they employ.”
Hodneland believes that a cautious pay settlement will help to improve the competitive terms for Norway’s supplier companies, and that both employers and unions must contribute preserving as many jobs as possible.
Walkouts
Industry Energy has notified the withdrawal of labour by more than 300 members working at five companies: Schlumberger Norge AS, Baker Hughes Norge AS, Halliburton AS, Oceaneering AS and Oceaneering Asset Integrity.
A possible walkout would primarily affect environmental treatment of drilling waste, and could call a halt to some drilling operations. It would not immediately affect oil and gas production on the NCS.
Contacts
Jan Hodneland, lead negotiator, Norwegian Oil and Gas, mobile +47 913 41 301
Kolbjørn Andreassen, communication manager, Norwegian Oil and Gas, mobile +47 952 82 808
