Also in the news / Sullom strike, EE signal, Up Helly Aa events and more …
WORKERS employed by oil industry service company Altrad at Sullom Voe Terminal have staged a third 24-hour walk out in a dispute over pay.
Around 60 contractors including insulators, painters, scaffolders and supervision staff walked out on Monday, having rejected two one-off payments instead of a permanent pay rise.
Monday’s strike follows two previous walk-outs last month.
The Unite union’s industrial officer Vic Fraser said the strikes “will cause significant disruption to operations at the terminal, and the blame for this will lie entirely with Altrad.”
There has been no movement on either side of the dispute, striking members have said, and no improved pay offer has been tabled since the two walk-outs in December.
Further strike action will take place on 26 January if there is no resolution to the pay stand-off.
MANY people in Shetland with EE mobiles have reported not having any signal over the past week – with weather conditions said to be causing delays to mast maintenance.
EE confirmed there is a “site issue” which has been impacting connection, with some folk having been told there is problem with the mast in Bressay.
It has apologised for any inconvenience caused, with the company adding that it is working to fix the issue “as soon as possible”.
People on iD Mobile have also reported losing signal.
THE COUNCIL says its waste services staff completed extra runs last weekend to catch up on missed household waste collections during the recent wintry weather.
Two vehicles will be in Bressay tomorrow (Wednesday) to collect black bags and cardboard and paper.
There will be extra runs to the North and South Mainland this Saturday to collect cardboard and paper recycling missed yesterday.
The council added: “There were some properties in Voe and Mossbank where we were unable to collect cardboard and paper today.
“These will also be picked up this Saturday, when we have vehicles and staff in the North Mainland again.”
SHETLAND Amenity Trust has announced its schedule for around Lerwick Up Helly Aa.
On Tuesday 27 January, Up Helly Aa day, the Lerwick Jarl Squad will visit the museum at 3.30pm for guests to meet them in person.
The event is free, but tickets are required and numbers are limited to 100. Tickets can be booked in advance from Tuesday 20 January.
From 2-4pm that day the Junior Up Helly Aa galley will also be on display at Hay’s Dock, offering a photo opportunity.
The museum will run ‘Origins of UHA’ tours daily from 20-27 January, while on 26 January pre-school bairns will have the opportunity to create their own helmets, shields and torches.
Shetland Food and Drink will host a Taste of Shetland day at the museum from 11am to 5pm on Sunday 25 January, while a new exhibition will explore the craftsmanship of gifted hobbyist Bobby Simpson.
Free foyer tickets for the Jarl Squad visit to Shetland Museum and Archives will be released via the Shetland Museum box office at 2pm on Tuesday 20 January.
HIGHLANDS and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has spoke about how it has helped a Shetland-based design and signage company as it enters an exciting new chapter.
As previously reported by Shetland News, Artmachine has relocated to a 500m² unit – three times the size of its previous main workshop – after a £42,425 award from HIE.
The new facility includes dedicated studio space, offices, a laser room and a CNC workshop, all designed to support sustainable operations.
The money from HIE has allowed Artmachine to undertake energy efficiency upgrades, including enhanced insulation and future proofing the building.
HIE area manager for Orkney and Shetland, Katrina Wiseman, said the investment was helping to reduce the environment impact from the company.
“With Shetland’s thriving economy continuing to create opportunities, businesses like Artmachine are embracing sustainability and expansion,” she said.
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