In the early hours of 17 June the Norwegian Oil Industry Association (OLF) reached agreement with the Norwegian Oil and Petrochemical Workers Union (Nopef), the Federation of Oil Workers’ Trade Unions and the Norwegian Association for Supervisors in this year's offshore pay talks for operator personnel.
"We are pleased that we found a solution," says Henrik Carlsen, Statoil's executive vice president for Exploration & Production Norway. "It is important that we avoided a conflict which could have adversely affected our position as a reliable gas supplier."
The parties agreed that local discussions will be held to establish a work rotation of two weeks at work and four weeks off. The deal also entails a general pay increase of 4.7 per cent.
"The two/four scheme was finally accepted on the basis of two requirements: implementation will be based on local discussions, and the parties will agree locally on clear ways of making cost and efficiency improvements," notes Mr Carlsen.
Specific cooperation measures are thereby required to improve efficiency, productivity and flexibility with regard to the use of personnel as well as active assistance to introduce a two/four arrangement without having to increase the number of personnel. The scheme will also require a pay reduction of 7.7 per cent.