| Administrative History | The Offshore Industry Liaison Committee (OILC) is an Aberdeen based trade union set up in response to the death of workers on the Piper Alpha platform in 1988. Initially it was a rank and file committee consisting of members of the various unions in the industry and was an ad-hoc body operating outwith the remit of the trade union and labour relations legislation. It received a certificate of independence from the Certification Officer for Trade Unions in 1992. In 2008 though it joined the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) as 'The Offshore Energy Branch of RMT'. The current General Secretary of the OILC is Jake Molloy (as of 2012) and he succeeded Ronnie MacDonald, the OILC's first General Secretary. OILC have produced their own magazine 'Blowout' since July 1989. They now also produce a bulletin called 'Enough is Enough'.
The Principal Objects of OILC (taken from the Constitution and Rules, [2006]) -
'To organise and secure unity of action of all those working in, or associated with, the Oil & Gas Industry; to influence the government in office in matters affecting the employment of members; to improve educational facilities for members; to assist members and their families in sickness, distress and financial hardship; to provide legal assistance for members; to promote closer co-operation with other workers having objects in common with the objects of the Union; to establish the Union within the labour and Trade Union movement...'
OILC also established an Advice & Information Centre in 1989 which provided research, information and campaigning assistance to offshore workers and the Trade Unions and provided practical help to workers with grievances. |