RMT Concerned Over Offshore Wind Policy

The UK's offshore trade union RMT has raised concerns over the impact on workers from today's Government offshore wind energy strategy.

RMT General Secretary, Mick Cash said: “RMT is concerned that the offshore wind industry has already adopted a regressive business model based on subcontracting and deregulation. Costs cut on that basis are a completely false economy and inhibit job creation.

“We need high employment and safety standards across the offshore energy sector, ensuring that UK law applies and is enforced for all current and future energy workers on the UK Continental Shelf. This would protect pay and conditions for workers across the offshore wind supply chain, from seafarers transporting infrastructure and expertise to the skilled women and men required to install wind turbines and connect them to the grid.

“It would also ensure that offshore oil and gas workers’ with the industry standard OPITO qualifications will be allowed to transfer between sectors free from the barriers unilaterally imposed by the Global Wind Organisation.

“The Government’s proposals are woefully unambitious and represent business as usual for companies whose investment decisions are driven by the need to create shareholder profit. The country needs a viable, safe, skilled and secure offshore wind industry employing hundreds of thousands of workers, based on a model that sustainably exploits all our energy resources for decades to come.”