38th Anniversary of the Piper Alpha accident We will not forget

Tommy Campbell joins representatives of
offshore unions to remember Piper Alpha

Aberdeen Trades Union Council President Tommy Campbell joined Unite offshore branches representatives to lay wreaths at the Piper Alpha memorial service on Monday 6 June, 38 years on from the disaster, pledging never to forget and to continue the fight to make off shore workplaces safe and healthy.

Tommy said, "On the 38th anniversary of the Piper Alpha fatal accident, Aberdeen Trades Union Council asks that we all take time to remember the 167 workers who died. 

"Our thoughts are with the families, work colleagues  and friends of the 167 workers  who were tragically killed on 6th July 1988.

"The Oil and Gas offshore based Trade Unions and offshore workers know full well  that the  Piper Alpha fatal accident could have been avoided by the strict adherence to the Health and Safety measures."

He warned that the accident happened because of the cost-driven decisions to maintain and increase profits, resulting in 167 offshore workers being killed.
 

"When costs to the employers and profit increases for the shareholders become more important than workers safety then the  Piper Alpha fatal accident shows that its offshore workers and their families who pay the ultimate price.“

Tommy promised that Aberdeen Trades Union Council will continue to support all the offshore based Trade Unions who organise, campaign and fightback to make sure the offshore oil and gas industry has a safe working environment  so that all offshore workers can return home safely to their families and friends. 

ATUC remembers Piper Alpha

Aberdeen Trades Union Council President and delegates attended a moving memorial service commemorating the 37^th anniversary of the Piper Alpha fatal accident.

Laying a wreath on behalf of ATUC, at the Piper Alpha memorial, in the Memorial Gardens in Hazelhead Park, President, Tommy Campbell said, "Our thoughts are with the families, work colleagues and friends of the 167 workers who were tragically killed on 6th July 1988."

He added, however, that as we remember all those who died we must never forget that this offshore accident could have been avoided as it was caused by inadequate maintenance and safety procedures by the operator Occidental.

 

Tommy warned that the oil and gas industry is still driven by cost reductions, with cutting corners and jobs being lost to save money to further increase the massive profits of the offshore oil and gas Operators.

 

"When oil and gas Operators prioritise fiscal matters above the health and safety of offshore workers, the devastatingly fatal Piper Alpha disaster serves as a haunting reminder as to the consequences of these decisions with devastatingly catastrophic consequences for the offshore workforce, their families and their communities. 

Aberdeen Trades Union Council remembers Piper Alpha

On the 34th anniversary of the Piper Alpha fatal accident, Aberdeen Trades Union Council remembers the 167 workers who died and pledges to continue our work to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again. 

ATUC President Graeme Farquhar said, "We are calling on all our affiliates and delegates to take a little time to remember those who died 34 years ago.

"We  will always share our thoughts with  the families, work colleagues  and friends of the 167 workers who were tragically killed on 6th July 1988."

Graeme continued  “The UK offshore oil and gas industry is driven  by cost reductions with the sole objective to increase the profits of the offshore oil and gas employers.

"The Trade Unions and offshore workers know full well that the Piper Alpha fatal accident could have been avoided by strict adherence to stringent Health and Safety measures. However the accident happened because of cost-driven decisions to maintain and increase profits."

Graeme warned, "When costs to the employers and profit increases for the shareholders become more important than workers safety then the Piper Alpha fatal accident shows that it's workers and their families who pay the ultimate price."

"Aberdeen Trades Union Council continues to support all the offshore based Trade Unions who organise, campaign and fightback to make sure the offshore oil and gas industry has  a safe working environment  so that all offshore workers can return home safely to their families and friends."

On the 33rd anniversary of Piper Alpha ATUC remembers those who lost their lives

On the 33rd anniversary of the Piper Alpha fatal accident, Aberdeen Trades Union Council joined the memorial service to commemorate and remember the 167 workers who were tragically killed on 6th July 1988.

Graeme Farquhar, ATUC President said: "Our thoughts are with the families, work colleagues and friends of all those who lost their lives in that tragedy."

ATUC delegate, Issy Sutherland (pictured left) laid a wreath from Unite Offshore Catering branch, in memory of those who died.

Graeme added, "Whilst we remember all those who were killed we shall never forget that this offshore accident was caused by inadequate maintenance and safety procedures by the operator Occidental.

  “The oil and gas industry is driven  by cost reductions, with cutting corners and jobs being lost to save money to increase the profits of the offshore oil and gas employers.

"What is disgraceful is that we know that the  Piper Alpha fatal accident could have been avoided as it  was caused by cost-driven decisions. 

"When costs to the employers become more important than workers safety then the  Piper Alpha fatal accident shows that the result is deadly and  catastrophic for the workers."

Aberdeen Trades Union Council supports all the offshore based Trade Unions who continue the fight to make sure the offshore oil and gas industry has  a safe working environment to ensure all offshore workers can return home to their families and friends.

Piper's Tune by Henry Cairney in memory of Piper Alpha and all those lost

With thanks to Willie Gibson and the STUC for sending us this very powerful and brave poem, written by Henry Cairney, President of the Calgary Burns Club, and like Willie, an offshore worker in the 1980s. Henry lost friends in the Piper Alpha disaster and has penned this in memory of that tragedy and so that we never forget.

Piper's Tune

The  morning  air  was  crisp  and  clear,  todays  shift  change  was   drawing  near,  Some  worked  below,  some  rose  on  high,  both  shall  meet  soon  eye  to  eye, One  thinking  ofthe  day  ahead,  another  thinks  of going  to  bed, 

Yes  here  they  are,  men  one  and  all,  soon  some  will  live  and  some  will  fall.   

All  quiet  at  the  breakfast  table,  some  wonder  one  day  if they're  able,  To  leave  this  way  of life  for  good,  and  elevate  above  this  mood,   

Of sometimes  joy,  and  sometimes   pain,  walking  out  in  freezing  rain,   

To  trudge  down  steps  and  start  the  toil,  and  raise  this  nations  bloody  oil.   

The  day  has  past,   he  thinks  with  pride,  and  climbs  once  more  the  monsters  side,  To  mingle  with  the  off-shift  crew,  relax,  before  it  starts  anew.   

He  feeds,  showers,  and  settles  down,  to  another  night  in  this  little  town,  

If  only  he  could  see  through  time,  he'd  know,  he'll  never  reach  his  prime.   

He's   heard  the  rumble  from  below,  the  flickering  lights   give  an  eerie  glow,  And  stumbling  forward  to  the  door,  with  fear  that  strikes  him  to  the  core,  

His  cries  that  join  a  chorus  loud,  came  from  a  man  once  tall  and  proud,  

His  fate  decided,  a  final  story,  of a  life  which  could  have  reaped  more  glory.   

ATUC remembers Piper Alpha

As we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Piper Alpha disaster, the thoughts of Aberdeen Trades Union Council are with the families and friends of the 167 people who lost their lives and with those who survived that most terrible and avoidable tragedy.

We echo the words of Unite's Pat Rafferty and his concerns that 30 years on we still have an industry that is driven increasingly by cost reductions, with corners and jobs being cut to save money.

 “We must never forget the lessons of Piper Alpha.

“But 30 years on, we should have learned something and it doesn’t look like offshore employers have.

“The Workers’ Memorial Day has a strapline: remember the dead, fight for the living. We do remember; we will never forget.

“But we must also continue the fight to make sure the industry is as safe as it can possibly be to ensure workers can return home at the end of their shift.”

We pledge, as we do every year at our Workers' Memorial Day service, to continue the fight for proper health and safety regulation and oversight, to make sure that no worker dies or is made ill at their work.

Click here to read Pat Rafferty's full piece in the P&J