Gas terminal staff in walk-out over tribute to helicopter victims
Action after row at Aberdeenshire gas terminal
Published:
A ROW has broken out after scores of staff staged a walk-out at Aberdeenshire’s St Fergus gas terminal in a tribute to the victims of last week’s North Sea helicopter tragedy.
Around 150 workers “downed tools” at the gas terminal near Peterhead in a show of support for the 16 victims of the Super Puma helicopter crash in the North Sea last week.
Sources claimed bosses at the St Fergus terminal refused permission for a workers meeting over how they could remember those killed in the fatal Super Puma crash.
Workers at St Fergus gas terminal in Aberdeenshire – one of the world’s largest gas-processing plants – said the gas terminal workers were devastated by the deaths of the 16 men on flight 85N.
Staff at the Total-operated terminal in Aberdeenshire planned to hold a meeting last Thursday to consider taking a half day in tribute to the men who died in the North Sea helicopter tragedy and for their colleagues on the Miller Platform, which pumps gas into St Fergus gas terminal near Peterhead.
But sources claim managers at St Fergus gas terminal refused permission for the meeting.
One worker at the Aberdeenshire gas terminal claimed between 150 and 200 staff met outside the front gate of the terminal near Peterhead at 12.45pm where the majority voted to walk off the site immediately.
The St Fergus employee added: “The majority of the guys agreed to take the half day, although one or two voted against.”
Readers' Comments
There are lots of ways to pay tribute to the unfortunate victims of the helicopter crash, but treating yourself to a half-day so you can sod off down the pub or get in 18 holes isn't one of them! The St Fergus workers ought to take a long hard look at themselves today. Those guys worked long shifts in a harsh environment, skiiving is not a fitting tribute or "show of support".
Graeme from Aberdeen
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I cannot believe that the staff at St. Fergus are taking advantage of the tragic death of those on that chopper to take some time off. I fail to see how this is a mark of respect...
Scott Hall
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Many of the men who work in and around St. Fergus have previosuly worked offshore and will feel really bad about the accident. While I agree that it wasn't the best idea just to down tools, they could have had a period of silence, but anyone who has worked offshore and who has family and friends who work offshore has been affected and saddened by this tragedy.
Mrs Not Happy
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