– We organize 161 pilots in Bristow, only four of whom are currently on strike. Nevertheless, we register a significant number of cancellations on the flights to and from the platforms in the North Sea, says head of negotiations Lars Petter Larsen in Parat in a press release.
On Wednesday evening, eight out of ten scheduled departures from Bergen Heliport to platforms and oil rigs on the Norwegian continental shelf have been cancelled, according to the overview Heliport.no.
All these departures are operated by the helicopter company Bristow, which is affected by the strike.
From Stavanger, three out of four planned Bristow departures have been cancelled.
– Does not match
Parat believes that the number of cancellations is in no way commensurate with the fact that only four pilots are on strike.
Larsen says that he fears that Bristow is speculating about a forced wage board, meaning that the authorities will have to intervene and stop the strike.
– We know how little it takes to trigger a compulsory wage board in the oil sector. At the same time, 2.5 per cent of employed pilots cannot be a basis, either for the massive cancellations we are now seeing, or a basis for the authorities to intervene, says Larsen.
He says that the reason for the low strike output is precisely to avoid the authorities intervening, and at the same time he warns the authorities and the oil companies against “being used by the company in a legal wage fight”.
Bristow: – Sorry for the inconvenience
NTB has confronted managing director Sondre Nordseth in Bristow Norway with the hints from Parat that they are speculating on a forced wage board.
He does not answer this directly, but explains the large number of cancellations as follows:
– The strategic resignation from Parat hits us hard. The combination with captains on strike, together with various types of absences, lack of flexibility and bad weather, unfortunately means we cannot deliver all our flights during this period, he writes.
He says that they have made an offer to the pilots that is far above the limit in the frontline profession, and that they feel the strike is completely unnecessary.
– We apologize for the inconvenience the strike causes for our passengers. It is quite clear that the strike will affect our operations from all air bases, he says.
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Interview with Lars Petter Larsen, Head of Negotiations at Parat
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Lars Petter. Recent news indicates that Bristow is facing significant cancellations for flights to and from the North Sea, despite only a small number of pilots currently being on strike. Can you explain the situation in more detail?
Lars Petter Larsen: Thank you for having me. It’s true that we have 161 pilots organized under Bristow, and only four of them are on strike. However, their absence, combined with operational challenges and ongoing negotiations, has led to a ripple effect that has caused substantial flight cancellations. Last Wednesday night, we saw eight out of ten scheduled departures from Bergen Heliport cancelled, and a similar trend from Stavanger, where three out of four departures did not happen.
Editor: That’s concerning for the industry. What do you believe is the root cause of these cancellations, if it’s only a few pilots who are striking?
Lars Petter Larsen: The strike may only involve a handful of pilots, but it highlights deeper issues within the company’s management and operational readiness. The current negotiations are vital, and the strike action—though limited—can significantly impact overall morale and operational capabilities. It seems the company is struggling to adapt to these challenges, which is leading to flight cancellations.
Editor: Have you had any communication with Bristow regarding the impact of the strike and the cancellations?
Lars Petter Larsen: Yes, we have been in contact. While they acknowledge the strike’s impact, there seems to be a disconnect between management’s understanding of the situation and the realities on the ground. We hope to resolve our differences soon to restore normal operations and ensure that employees’ concerns are addressed.
Editor: What message do you have for those affected by these cancellations?
Lars Petter Larsen: I want to reassure everyone that our aim is to resolve these negotiations swiftly so that pilots can return to work, and flights can resume as normal. We understand the inconvenience caused to passengers and the industry and are committed to finding a solution.
Editor: Thank you for your insights, Lars. We hope to see a speedy resolution to the situation.
Lars Petter Larsen: Thank you for having me.
Ss. The significant number of cancellations suggests that Bristow appears to be struggling to maintain its service levels, even with a very small percentage of its pilots striking. There are also a mix of other factors at play, including operational difficulties, absentees, and adverse weather conditions. Unfortunately, these elements seem to be combining in a way that disproportionately affects operations, despite the low number of pilots involved in the strike.
Editor: Parat has expressed concerns that Bristow might be speculating on a forced wage board by the authorities. Can you elaborate on that concern?
Lars Petter Larsen: Certainly. Our concern is that Bristow may attempt to provoke a situation where the government feels compelled to intervene to stop the strike by invoking a compulsory wage board. This is something we know can be triggered relatively easily in the oil sector. It’s important to emphasize that the current situation, given the low strike participation, does not warrant such drastic measures. We are urging both the authorities and the oil companies not to be leveraged in this way by Bristow in what essentially is a legal wage dispute.
Editor: Bristow has responded to your claims, citing a combination of strikes and other operational challenges for their cancellations. How do you respond to that?
Lars Petter Larsen: While Bristow’s management has cited various operational challenges, we maintain that the extent of cancellations does not align with the minimal strike participation we have observed. Their suggestion that the strike is the sole cause of these widespread service disruptions seems disingenuous. Our position is clear: the issues at Bristow are deeper than just the current strike and reflect systemic management problems and insufficient resources to handle ongoing flight operations effectively.
Editor: What steps do you believe should be taken moving forward to resolve these issues?
Lars Petter Larsen: Open dialogue is key. Both sides need to come back to the negotiating table in good faith to address the grievances and operational challenges. It’s crucial for Bristow to reassess its management practices and the way it handles its workforce, especially in times of crisis. We advocate for a resolution that respects the rights and needs of the pilots while ensuring a reliable service for passengers.
Editor: Thank you for your insights, Lars. It’s a complex situation, and we hope for a resolution that works for everyone involved.
Lars Petter Larsen: Thank you for having me. Let’s hope for a swift resolution.
