Bristow crews vote for strike action - shades of 1977?

[CharlieOneSix]

From the Aberdeen Press & Journal:

Helicopter crews at Bristow have voted “overwhelmingly” to take industrial action in a long-running dispute over pay.

The British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa) has confirmed more than 96% of its members who took part in a ballot backed going on strike after months of negotiations ended without an agreement.

Bristow – which has bases in Aberdeen, Sumburgh and Norwich and also has the contract for providing search and rescue operations for the coastguard – said it was disappointed by the move and claimed staff were not given the chance to vote on an improved wages deal before being balloted on industrial action.

Balpa accused the company of “failing to listen to employees and offer a fair and reasonable pay deal”.

The workers involved in the dispute include pilots, technical crew, winch paramedics and winch operators.

Strike action is now looming with the helicopter industry already battling a major spare parts shortage.

Bristow helicopter crews have “overwhelmingly voted in favour of industrial action,” the British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa) has confirmed.

Of the Balpa members that took part in the vote – numbers of which were not disclosed – 96.31% voted in favour of industrial action against the flight operator.

The workers, who include pilots, technical crew, winch paramedics and winch operators, are pursuing the action in a dispute over pay.

Balpa general secretary Amy Leversidge said: “This ballot is a clear indication of the strength of feeling among our members.

“Despite months of negotiation Bristow’s management has failed to listen to employees and offer a fair and reasonable pay deal.”

Bristow has bases in Sumburgh and Norwich as well as Aberdeen and provides search and rescue (SAR) operations for the coastguard in addition to operating heli transport flights for offshore workers.

The helicopter operator has a contract until December 2026 to provide SAR operations for HM Coastguard. Around 360 people are employed via this contract, according to Bristow’s website, and are based in 10 UK sites.

It is unclear how any potential strike action will impact Bristow’s SAR operations, however it’s understood those who work in this service are also involved in the dispute.

A Bristow Helicopters spokesperson said: “We are extremely disappointed by the outcome of this ballot and that, despite Bristow tabling an improved offer in a bid to avoid strike action, staff were not given an opportunity to vote on that offer before being balloted to participate in strike action.

“We believe our latest offer is highly competitive and remain committed to working collaboratively with Balpa to arrive at a fair and sustainable agreement that recognises the hard work and commitment of our team and to avoid unnecessary strike action.”

Ms Leversidge added: “For years, our members have remained loyal to Bristow by enduring pay freezes and cuts while they were enduring difficult times.

“It is unreasonable for Bristow to expect their helicopter pilots and technical crews to continue with austerity pay at a time when the company is booming and it is Balpa members who are at the heart of that success.”

[FD2]

It sounds like the company made a panicky improved offer when they realised it was going to a ballot, but too late. It's unusual that so many sections of the company are united in their action to even request a ballot so I suspect they've not been happy bunnies for a long time.

It's not been a British company for years - apart from the name...

[CharlieOneSix]

Industrial action is due to be held between 3-5 March, 11-13 March, 18-20 March, and 25-27 March.

[CharlieOneSix]

From Energy Voice 29/2/24:

Bristow helicopter workers have postponed planned strike action out of respect after a fatal crash off Norway on Wednesday night.

The British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) had set strikes for Bristow in Aberdeen, Sumburgh and Norwich on March 3 – 5 across Search and Rescue and Oil and Gas.

BALPA said: “Following the upsetting and tragic news of an accident involving a Bristow helicopter and crew off the coast of Norway yesterday, we have, as a mark of respect for the crew member who tragically lost their life and for those crew members otherwise injured in the crash, decided to withdraw our planned strike action at Bristow.”

Strikes planned for other dates in March remain unchanged and will go ahead unless a resolution is reached.

Workers, including pilots, technical crew, winch paramedics and winch operators have been pursuing the action over pay.

Other dates are planned for March 11-13, 18-20 and 25-27.

[FD2]

Hopefully the management will take the opportunity to reciprocate the gesture of respect to increase their pay offer...but I have my doubts.