SS7

Member Joined: Mar 24, 2010

It is pretty obvious that this bunch of arses are getting everyones backs up with the tricks they are using. But what goes around comes around and they will get their commuppance (yeah I know thats spelt wrong) I am sure.
As Scott suggested, a few lost vehicles, broken subsea structures and the resulting lost of contracts, their image (already very jaded) will soon look unacceptable to all but the crappiest of clients.

I did a job for them, way back before the real dirty tricks started and the stunts they tried to pull then - like they cocked up my flights then refused to pay a hotel bill etc - I have flatly refused to work for them again ever since - and will continue to do so.

But what can we do? At the moment they control the field. I have never been a union type bloke but maybe joining the RMT in sufficient numbers to actually make our vote count may be the way ahead - it did the divers no harm - and who have had to take wage cuts - divers or ROV?

If the OZ and Norwegian unions support the RMT (as I am hopeful they would) then Sclub7's pocket may be hurt in those countries and may just force a rethink of strategy. But what is certain, if we remain fragmented and arguing about race colour creed etc it is us that look like the dickheads and the main point of the argument is being detracted from. Divide and Conquer I believe the Romans used to say (but they probably spelt it different).

I personally do not believe this is a racist (or sexist) issue it is one of survival for our trade, vocation or whatever you want to call it.

There is no doubt, that as ROV techs, we have a range of skills probably unmatched anywhere in any other job and we should be rewarded for it - (perhaps the unions should look at trade demarcation and force bigger crews!!). The conditions we have to endure, often changeable and unforeseen would not be accepted in many industries in a modern society. Maybe changing to more mainstream O and G work is the answer - although I do not really relish that idea, we certainly would not have to deal with the crap we get currently - although I suspect that other bullshit would soon take its place.

If you analyse your skills you will be amazed at what other areas you are highly skilled in and in many cases can earn more than you are currently.
I am not suggesting that we all abandon the industry we love but - where are all the new guys getting there skills from? Yep you guessed it - people like us are using our hard earned skills to give it to them. So logically if we evacuated on mass to other more lucrative trades - then presumably an increase in lost vehicles and damage would occur, the realisation that Sclub7 are in fat crap and supplying poorly skilled personnel (if indeed that is what they are) and our value would return. However we are now in better paid jobs and would need an immense amount of money to entice us back.

I am not suggesting that this is a cure all but it may be worth considering. It has got to be better than slagging each other, Brazilians, Malaysians, Nigerians and Angolans - they, afterall, are only doing what we did years ago and trying to improve our lifestyle and position.

I suppose we could do what the Thai redshirts did last week to the government buildings in Bangkok - go and spray infected pigs blood all over Sclub7's HQ!!

As for rasicm and sexism - I believe that every white man should have at leats one dark lady - I married an Indian they are great (as in brilliant not as in large although what ever takes your fancy).

All for One and One for All

Member Joined: Oct 08, 2005 Location: Inversnecky

Well Said Profannysaurus.

Think this one deserves it's own thread though. It's not just SS7 that are at this game.

Member Joined: Mar 24, 2010

True but they are the main culprits.

Its like anything else. If a big store moves into an area it undercuts the little guys until there is no competition. Or like Kraft with Cadbury they buy them up and take the bits they wanted and throw the rest away - big business unfortunately.

SS7 formed from several smallr units and has tried to dominate everything since.

Member Joined: Nov 13, 2009 Location: Western Australia

Profannysaurus, you may well want the Noggies and the Aussies to jump onboard with the North Sea SS7 bash but you may be surprised to learn that SS7 in Australia is one of the union "strongholds" in the Australian ROV industry.

Added to that the SS7 workers in Australia were amongst the first to organise via the MUA.

SS7 has the bulk of the work in Oz but also the most members in the MUA (being the largest company represented) and also ipso facto the most working and unionised members in Australia. (they also do not seem to have a problem with foreign (nice non-racist word that) labour taking Aussie jobs)

I really do NOT want to start an us (Aussies) vs them but until more people join the RMT in the UK it's all pie in the sky, I would think, as james and others have said ad nauseum on this site.

Member Joined: Mar 24, 2010

Not surprised at all Sitrep - thats why the RMT is campaigning to get people in so that the unionised places help each other out and unite instead of being fragmented.' - that is after all the point of unionisation
'I have many friend who work with them down under.

Member Joined: Mar 24, 2010

I think its a con under the name of the Gibson retirement fund.

Equalisation tax I think they call it - mind you if you work for 80 dollars a day then it would not be very much. Another good reason for not working for them.

Apparently they have also pulled another stunner - breathalysing people getting off of flights in an effort to reclaim dayrate saying that you are not abiding by company drug and alcohol policy.

Mind you by the same token if your travel is over 12 hours then maybe they will pay overtime as they are breaking the company working limits?

The beginning of the end I hope for them.

John99 wrote:

I am pretty pissed off with SS7, as they are now trying to take my money through taxes. Did a job in Angola, taxed me around 30%. Before never got taxed in Angola.

Congo last year, a so called “emergency tax” Don,t know what kind of emergency. Mel running out of cash?

Still trying to find out, in which hidden channels this money disappears.
Live in Thailand, no tax. Angola does not take 30% tax. May be somebody has an explanation.

Evil or Very Mad

For sure they should have told you in advance, not said nothing and simply deducted it retrospectively (after the trip)

The deduction is probably not just a SS7 thing as there will likely be more of the same creeping into the industry across the board.

This is a whole topic in it's own right, so I have started a new thread on Withholding Tax

It gives my thoughts on why they have deducted then money.

Member Joined: Nov 04, 2007 Location: Scotland

http://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/Article.aspx/1674040?UserKey=

This link (if it works), shows how hard times really are Rolling Eyes

Cheers,

Senior $$ Mr. Green

One for all and all for one.

Member Joined: Feb 24, 2009 Location: USA

Senior,

I think your way off base here... Just because times aren't easy, doesn't justify going and stealing and destroying someone else's property. If they did the crime then they should be punished appropriately.

Let's not start making excuses for criminals just because they are in the same vocation.

Chief

Member Joined: Nov 04, 2007 Location: Scotland

Hay Chief,

I was merely passing on some news, Exclamation

Your interpretation of my post has suggested the I condone the said aforementioned acts.

I don't agree with tee leafing of any sort, just a bit of re-alocating Embarassed

.

Cheers,

Senior $$ Mr. Green

One for all and all for one.

Made interesting reading though and was pertinent to this thread title. I also agree that people need to be nailed for that type of thing...

Me? I've never taken a single tie wrap home in my whole career Rolling Eyes