Socialist Outlook spoke to RONNIE MCDONALD, President of the Offshore Industry Liaison committee (OIL.C).
The OIL.C, a union for offshore oil workers formed to fill the gap left by the inadequacies of both oil bosses and the TUC. ing to it. Ronnie is to be one of the speakers at the coming Unshackle the Unions conference. The OILC are to hold their founding conference on June 27/28. What Is its Importance? This conference will mark the end of the two-year process towards legal certification of the OILC as a trade union.
A union conference is legally recognised and indeed should act as the supreme governin body of a trade union. It will also endorse the objectives the union and agree a constitution.
Steps towards certification began OnCE sufficient oil workers had begun to turn to the OILC for action over safety on the North Sea.
The conference will also continue the debate on the practical organisation of members on oil where they have to operate clandestincly for fear of victimisation.
This process will continue until unions are able to operate openly throughout the North What are the main alms of the OILC? Our main area of activity is and will remain the campai has been hored ory.
has been proved over the shore unions which claim members in the area together to tackle the safety issue. It is their failure which gives the OIL the reason for its existence.
The other important aim is to achieve a democratic union. Where OIL.C is able to operate Iblame Society! 'on-shore' unions, has been met with hostility from But increasing numbers of oil workers are turn'We clearly need a network of solidarity between trade unionists, so that we can pool resources. We want to participate in setting up such a network ...™ openly, as in Piper Claymore where there are around 150 members, it is possible to prac On other platforms, anyone found to be can kiss their career goodbye.
This clandestinity restricts the democracy of the union. It is this non-acceptance of unions which is the main structural problem facing the OILC.
Piper Claymore has recently been taken over by Elf, the first time this company has operated in the British sector. It has a very relaxed attitude to union organisation, in contrast with other operators. Has the attitude of other unions to OILC changed? The leaderships of other unions have become more hostile to OILC, but when we are able to address union nembers they give support Injured oil rig worker rushed to hospital after Piper Alpha disaster traditions. When the issues were presented to them, the CISA members supported the OIL.C. Why are you going to the Unshackle the Unions conference? During the two major North sea disputes between 1989 and 1991, the OILC suffered from a lack of a network of resources and support.
For example, when Shell took legal action, lawyers' fees cost solidarity networks we now have links with sympathetic lawyers who can donate assistance. And during these disunionists hroughout the UK donated more than £60,000.
No one organisation can stand on its own. We clearly need a network of solidarity between trade unionists, so that wecan pool resources. We want to participate in setting up such a network assisting trade We would like to register We enclose £ Name/position/organisation Contact address Cheques payable to Socialist Movement (TU)
Send to Carolyn Sikorski 53a Geere Road, London E15 3PN Hostile to OILC: TUC leader Willis unionists throughout the UK. One of the main Issues at the conference will be the Torles' anti-union laws, which are Intended to destroy effective trade unionism. As an effective. trade union, how do you see the conference contributing to OILC's struggle? OIL.C has proved by its record that it is prepared to push the anti-union laws to heir limits and beyond. On the issue of offshore safety, people for the Unshackle the Unions Conference (£10 waged/ £3 unwaged per person)
Phone No. 22 we won't be cowed. The safety of our members is paramount - all other issues are secondary In terms of the 1990 Act, if our members find themselves in conflict with it over a genuine safety issue and the employers demand we back down, we'd refuse.
I'll be speaking at the conference about our experiences with the saw. & think ra sive tradeunion activists a chanceto networks of solidarity with both lawyers and people like May 30, 1992
THE SOCIALIST MOVEMENT Trade Union Committee
Conway Hall, Red Lion Sq, London WHICH WAY FOR employers' offensive
Second Conference 1992