Home Forums General General Board Do any ROV companies really care about ‘their’ teams ? Reply To: Do any ROV companies really care about ‘their’ teams ?

Reply To: Do any ROV companies really care about ‘their’ teams ?

Home Forums General General Board Do any ROV companies really care about ‘their’ teams ? Reply To: Do any ROV companies really care about ‘their’ teams ?

#18589
James McLauchlan
Participant

In answer to the question.

No! Companies do not care about their teams. Please never allow yourself to believe that they do care, no matter what you are being told.
Every now and then you will get an Ops manager that genuinely seems to understand the need to look after a team but, unfortunately, they are few and far between.

Yes! Companies do care about getting the job done with least possible outlay and maximum return but you can’t blame them for doing so when they are in the business of returning maximum profit for their investors not running a charity.

Most UK firms cannot see further than short term profits rather than long term investment in personnel. That is why we have a short fall of experience now. Nothing else to blame other than that strategy.

I agree with the sentiment in this the previous posts but would like to discuss further some of the content posted.

…………now we are not talking major stuff here, joining unions or stopworks etc. just having a little bit of bottle and at least trying to retain a little bit of respect as a human being. you know, just putting your hand up and saying this is not right………..

Joining a Uni0n is not major stuff. ‘Stopworks’ could be considered as major stuff tough.
It is very apparent that companies such as those running ROV projects are not overly keen on Unions because they see them as a threat to the monopoly they have over the people they employ offshore.

Since I have worked in this industry I have tried to maintain ‘respect as a human being’ but doing it as an individual is a non starter. You may be able to make your point and stand your ground, but how many other people will the company or agency call until they get someone that says ‘yes’ to something you are not prepared to so?
I have seen that over and over. As long as people keep thinking that, as individuals, they will make a difference to the industry the situation will not change in our sector of the offshore game.

Right now I would suggest that the last thing the operating companies want to see is all these/us little individuals talking together and coming up with some kind of strategy.

It is very commendable to read about those of you prepared to try and stand your ground on your own, but consider the results of Uni0n influence on operating companies in the diving game. Previously divers were nothing other than individuals looking after their own personal needs.
It wasn’t until they got together as a group that they came up with some results.

In the past, even though both Gina and I were members, I was somewhat disappointed with the RMT and their ability to effectively represent the needs of the offshore industry.
Having recently reviewed the way the OILC are approaching this I have come to the conclusion that the way forward for ROV and associated trades (Inspection, Survey etc) is still via a Uni0n.

This is most definitely where the OILC branch of the RMT steps in. The RMT branch S100 (OILC) is structured specifically to cater for offshore workers in the energy sector, so it is specific to the Offshore Industry (as we know it) which leaves the rest of the RMT to handle general Rail Maritime and Transport representation.

Now imagine the new effectiveness of the RMT with them using the experience of the OILC, as one single RMT branch (S100), with that particular branch geared to do nothing other than represent the needs of all offshore workers.

I have no doubt that since the OILC joined forces with the RMT( early May of this year) they are fast becoming a force that operator companies know they will have to listen too. It’s not just about pay (although that has be counted in) but also about ensuring that ‘Health and Safety at work’ means more than a ‘corporate statement’ to be adhered to when production results deems it OK to do so.
Fair treatment and conditions are also points to pursue.

With the best will in the world you’ll not do that on your own.

…………..i wish it weren’t so and i’d love to be proved wrong but thats why the companies are scewing us…..because they can!!!

They are only doing that because, as you say, they can. It’s an easy thing to do with individuals but not so easy when they need to negotiated with a representative of a cohesive group such as a Uni0n.

To see what I am on about go to the Downloads section (from the menu on the left) download and read the 1st OILC newsletter to see what they are up to.

To be effective the Uni0n needs paying members and input from the likes of you. Pay up and send them your concerns, just as you have posted here to give them an idea of which direction to take.

Without your support of the Uni0n, and their negotiating on your behalf, you will always be a collection of individuals negotiating from a weak standpoint and ultimately playing into the hands of your employers, be that as a company employee or agency employee.

It’s simply not good enough to discuss why companies ‘screw’ people.
Join forces and do something about preventing it.
Or sit on a fence and see how it pans out……

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