17 October 2022
RMT Press Office:
Offshore workers will protest outside Orsted HQ on Monday in a bid to end a pay dispute which has seen numerous days of strike action.
RMT members at Orsted have rejected a paltry pay offer and are set to take further strike action in the weeks and months ahead, unless management reverses its position.
In a letter to the Danish government, which will be handed to the Danish embassy on Monday, RMT general secretary Mick Lynch wrote:
"As you know, Ørsted is a success story in the offshore wind sector and my members are clearly committed to maintaining this record. Indeed, we note that the company recorded a profit of DKK5.77 billion (£644m) in the first quarter of this year, a staggering 257% increase on Q1 in 2021 which is testimony to the hard work and commitment of Ørsted’s workers, from the turbine technicians harnessing the elements in the Irish Sea to executives in Skærbæk.
"You will also be aware that workers and communities in the UK today, including my members at Ørsted are facing a particularly acute cost of living crisis due, in large part to record inflation rates and the extreme economic policies of the current Conservative Government.
"In these circumstances, it can have come as no surprise to anyone that my members overwhelmingly rejected Ørsted’s derisory offer of a 3.5% pay increase.
"We are extremely concerned at the disrespectful behaviour of management at Ørsted’s facilities in Birkenhead, Grimsby, Barrow and Brightlingsea who are refusing to engage with RMT representatives following members’ rejection of the pay offer, effectively triggering the current dispute. We know from our comrades in the Danish trade unions that this sort of outrageous behaviour toward a trade union would simply not be tolerated in Denmark.
"Therefore, an intervention by Ministers in the Danish Government to instruct Ørsted’s management in the UK to engage with the RMT on this pay dispute would be welcome. I would appreciate your support in conveying this message to Ministers and senior Ørsted officials in Denmark."
END
Notes: RMT will hold a protest outside Orsted HQ from 1pm on Monday. The address is: 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
Unity House
Tel: 020 7387 4771
Email: