Offshore windfarm workers unhappy with 3.5 per cent pay increase proposed by Danish employers

 

Ørsted technician make their views known to management (and the outside world)

ARE offshore windfarm workers at Ørsted's Grimsby hub poised to step up industrial  action in a wrangle over pay?

On Monday,  members from the Danish company's hubs across the UK protested outside the Danish Embassy in London.

Many of them belong to the RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers) which has issued this statement: "Members  have rejected a paltry pay offer and are set to take further strike action in the weeks and months ahead, unless management reverses its position.

In a letter to the Danish government, RMT general secretary Mick Lynch writes: "As you know, Ørsted is a success story in the offshore wind sector and my members are clearly committed to maintaining this record. 

"Indeed, we note that the company recorded a profit of DKK5.77 billion (£644m) in the first quarter of this year, a staggering 257 per cent increase on the corresponding figure for last year.

"This is testament to the hard work and commitment of Ørsted’s workers, from the turbine technicians harnessing the elements in the Irish Sea to executives in Skærbæk.

"You will also be aware that workers and communities in the UK today, including my members at Ørsted are facing a particularly acute cost of living crisis due, in large part to record inflation rates and the extreme economic policies of the current Conservative Government.

"In these circumstances, it can have come as no surprise to anyone that my members overwhelmingly rejected Ørsted’s derisory offer of a 3.5 per cent pay increase."

The letter continues: "We are extremely concerned at the disrespectful behaviour of management at Ørsted’s facilities in Grimsby, Birkenhead,  Barrow and Brightlingsea who are refusing to engage with RMT representatives following members’ rejection of the pay offer, effectively triggering the current dispute. 

"We know from our comrades in the Danish trade unions that this sort of outrageous behaviour towards a trade union would simply not be tolerated in Denmark.

"Therefore, an intervention by ministers in the Danish Government to instruct Ørsted’s management in the UK to engage with the RMT on this pay dispute would be welcome. 

"I would appreciate your support in conveying this message to Ministers and senior Ørsted officials in Denmark."