Leading oil and gas firm Wood Group PSN plans to make up to 200 of its North Sea workforce redundant.

Around 750 staff are at risk as a result of controversial changes to the amount of time workers spend offshore.

Pipefitters, welders, riggers, radio operators and security staff contracted to Talisman Sinopec are among those at risk.

A letter revealed that, Wood Group PSN warned staff: “The company is proposing to reduce the headcount in our OMS Talisman Sinopec Offshore business by approximately 200 positions across all offshore and site locations.

“This will mean around 750 employees placed at risk of redundancy until a consultation period of no less than 45 days has been completed.”

Offshore unions are opposed to the changes to rotas, pay and holiday patterns many oil and gas firms are seeking in the wake of a dramatic slump in the value of oil and drop in North Sea activity.

Several companies, including Talisman, have moved staff onto a shift pattern which means they spend three weeks onshore followed by three weeks in the North Sea, as opposed to the tradition two-week rotation.

The move has proved controversial and was at the centre of a recent row which ended in threats of strike action.

A Wood Group spokeswoman said: "We continuously review our resource requirements to drive efficiency and effectiveness in our service provision.

"Wood Group PSN management is working closely with our employees impacted, the GMB and Unite unions.”

Source: news.stv.tv

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