By Ørsted strikes set to last months
As the cost of living continues to spiral amidst war in Ukraine, and increasingly volatile rates for energy continue, further strike action for many workers will take place throughout the year.
Last week, Offshore workers protested outside Orsted HQ on Monday in a bid to end a pay dispute which has already seen numerous days of strike action.
RMT members at Orsted have rejected a pay offer and are set to take further strike action ‘in the weeks and months ahead’, unless management reverses its position, they said.
In a letter to the Danish government, handed to the Danish embassy on Monday, RMT general secretary Mick Lynch wrote referenced ‘Ørsted is a success story in the offshore wind sector and my members are clearly committed to maintaining this record.’
Mr Lynch said the company recorded a profit of DKK5.77 billion (£644m) in the first quarter of this year, which is ‘testimony to the hard work and commitment of Ørsted’s workers’.
“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% pay increase.
“We are extremely concerned at the disrespectful behaviour of management at Ørsted’s facilities in Birkenhead, Grimsby, Barrow and Brightlingsea who are refusing to engage with RMT representatives following members’ rejection of the pay offer.”
Mr Lynch said the regarding Danish trade unions that this sort of ‘outrageous behaviour’ toward 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.”
Workers could be set for more strike action in the coming months.
Ørsted have been contacted for a statement but are yet to respond.
(Image:RMT)
