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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Fresh 48-hour offshore strike being held | Fresh 48-hour offshore strike being held |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A 48-hour strike by offshore workers is getting under way. | A 48-hour strike by offshore workers is getting under way. |
| The action on Thursday and Friday on seven Shell-operated platforms follows fresh talks ending without agreement. | The action on Thursday and Friday on seven Shell-operated platforms follows fresh talks ending without agreement. |
| Unite and the RMT unions are representing hundreds of workers involved in the dispute over pay and conditions with oil services company Wood Group. | Unite and the RMT unions are representing hundreds of workers involved in the dispute over pay and conditions with oil services company Wood Group. |
| A 24-hour strike held a week ago was the first industrial action of its kind in the North Sea in nearly 30 years. | A 24-hour strike held a week ago was the first industrial action of its kind in the North Sea in nearly 30 years. |
| Aberdeen-based Wood Group provides maintenance and construction to Shell and signed a three-year extension to its contract earlier this year. | Aberdeen-based Wood Group provides maintenance and construction to Shell and signed a three-year extension to its contract earlier this year. |
| Some workers claim they are facing cuts of up to 30%. | Some workers claim they are facing cuts of up to 30%. |
| Wood Group - which denies that claim - said it was "hugely disappointed that the action was progressing". | Wood Group - which denies that claim - said it was "hugely disappointed that the action was progressing". |
| The industrial action affects the Shearwater, Gannet, Nelson, Curlew, Brent Alpha, Brent Bravo and Brent Charlie platforms. | The industrial action affects the Shearwater, Gannet, Nelson, Curlew, Brent Alpha, Brent Bravo and Brent Charlie platforms. |
| BBC Scotland revealed on Tuesday evening that the fresh talks had failed. | BBC Scotland revealed on Tuesday evening that the fresh talks had failed. |
| John Boland, Unite's regional officer, told Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme they wanted more involvement with Shell, which owns the seven oil rigs affected by the industrial action. | John Boland, Unite's regional officer, told Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme they wanted more involvement with Shell, which owns the seven oil rigs affected by the industrial action. |
| He said: "They've been very much of the view that it's nothing to do with them. | He said: "They've been very much of the view that it's nothing to do with them. |
| "I think it's vital that Shell get involved in this and actually try and help to resolve this." | "I think it's vital that Shell get involved in this and actually try and help to resolve this." |
| He added: "The employers have got to realise that they can't just cut and slash terms and conditions as a way of getting out of the difficulties in the North Sea. | He added: "The employers have got to realise that they can't just cut and slash terms and conditions as a way of getting out of the difficulties in the North Sea. |
| "They've got to work together with the unions to find a constructive way forward." | "They've got to work together with the unions to find a constructive way forward." |
| Dave Stewart, from Wood Group, said he was disappointed that the unions had chosen to go ahead with further industrial action. | Dave Stewart, from Wood Group, said he was disappointed that the unions had chosen to go ahead with further industrial action. |
| He told the programme: "Why do people want to strike when we've offered to continue with the dialogue to get to a position of what will solve this. I do not have a clear mandate from the unions that says 'if you give me this we will be happy". |