Rig Workers Secure Significant Pay Increase and Improved Pension Benefits
The Styrke union reached an agreement with the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association on Thursday evening following mediation on the mobile rig agreement. “We have secured a significant pay increase and improved pension benefits for our members in the floating rig sector,” says Styrke President Frode Alfheim.
(Translated by AI) After two days of negotiations in Oslo, Styrke and the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association reached a settlement that provides a substantial wage increase for employees working on mobile drilling rigs and in platform drilling operations.
The settlement builds on last year’s agreement.
“We have achieved all of our key demands and secured a very good agreement for our members,” says Frode Alfheim, President of Styrke.
Improved Pension Scheme
A general wage increase of 5.2 percent, including holiday pay, has been agreed.
For employees on individual salary arrangements, wage increases will be granted within a framework of 5.2 percent, with each individually paid employee guaranteed a minimum salary increase of 4.4 percent.
Improving pension benefits for rig workers was also a key priority for Styrke.
“We have succeeded in securing an increase in the defined-contribution pension scheme from four to five percent. This will continue to increase by one percentage point annually, reaching seven percent from January 1, 2029,” says Alfheim.
Several Technical Allowances Increased
The parties have also agreed to improve a number of technical allowances under the collective agreement.
The night shift allowance will increase by NOK 5, while the public holiday allowance will increase by NOK 50 to NOK 2,400.
Styrke also secured approval for a competency allowance of NOK 1,000 per month for a number of positions.
“We have established competency allowances that encourage employees to pursue further education,” says Alfheim.
The parties have issued a joint statement emphasizing that welfare and service functions are important in creating a good workplace for everyone on board, and that it is important to recognize the value of professional expertise in both food preparation and cleaning services.
The floating rig agreement covers more than 3,400 Styrke members working for companies including Odfjell Drilling, Noble Drilling Norge, Transocean, COSL Drilling, Island Drilling, Seadrill, Saipem, Archer, RTC Offshore, H&P Modu, Shelf Drilling, AKOFS Offshore, Knutsen OAS, Sodexo, Aramark Norge Offshore, ESS, and others.
