Gas plant strike postponed

INDUSTRIAL action which was due to commence at the Shetland Gas Plant on Monday has been postponed for a week to allow for further talks.

Around 80 workers at Aker Solutions, a sub contractor at the Total gas plant, had overwhelmingly voted in favour of strike action in a long running dispute over wages and holiday pay.

But now a last minute attempt to avert the strike will be made by conciliation service Acas.

Regional officer with trade union Unite John Boland told Shetland News that the discussions involving both sides of the dispute would take place next week.

“The industrial action planned to start on 20 November has been postponed to allow discussions involving Acas to take place the week of the 20 November,” he said.

“Hopefully the discussion will find a way to resolve this dispute, but if they do not industrial action is planned to start on 27 November.”

Total has disputed claims that the plant – which provides about 10 per cent of the UK’s gas demand – would have to close should the strike go ahead.