Staff at Mossmorran gas plant take more strike action in pay dispute

Around 90 workers at the Mossmorran gas plant are resuming strike action this week over a pay dispute with Shell.

It affects Kaefer maintenance and repair contractors based at the plant near Cowdenbeath.

A 24 hour stoppage starts today (January 23), with further strikes scheduled for Thursday, next week and into February.

Unite says production at the site will be severely impacted.

The union says Shell won't provide a cost of living payment despite raking in billions in profit, adding it has been "left with no choice" but to resume action.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “Unite members employed by Kaefer at the Mossmorran gas plant remain rock solid in their determination to get fair treatment. Shell, who ultimately fund any deal, has chosen to escalate this dispute by refusing to support a cost of living payment for our members. This is despite Shell raking in billions in profit.” 

“Unite will back our Kaefer members all the way in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions."

Bob MacGregor, Unite industrial officer, added: “The Kaefer workers deserve a cost of living payment in the same way that other workers in the industry received last year.” 

“To fund this payment Shell wouldn’t even notice a dot changing on their balance sheet, yet it would make a big difference to our members who continue to face a cost of living crisis. They have been left with no choice but to fight for fair and equal treatment.” 

Last week Unite said thousands of engineering construction workers will benefit from a two-year pay rise worth a minimum of 17.4 % under the National Agreement for Engineering Construction Industry agreement across UK oil refineries, power stations and pharmaceutical and petro-chemical plants.