SWAT
Together We Can!
A federation of construction and metal-working trades.

Dolphin Alley
346 South Commerical Avenue Suite #2
Aransas Pass, TX 73886
Phone: 361.758.9622
Toll Free: 866.307.7928
Fax: 361.758.9623

What's Wrong at Technip-Coflexip?

Technip-Coflexip (TKP) is a worldwide leader in the offshore oil and gas industry. The company operates in over 36 countries including the United States. However, different standards exist between those plants and the ones in the USA.

These differences revolve around the basic treatment and fairness towards workers. The men and women of Technip-Coflexip, whether they are mariners or divers, whether they work in an office, a fabrication yard or a pipe manufacturing plant all have one thing in common outside the USA. They work union.

Workers in the US do not enjoy the same standards and benefits that their union counter-parts in countries like France, Brazil, Germany and the United Kingdom do.

Employees at TKP's US-based fabrication yards have chosen to do something about it. They are organizing a union, the first one in these yards in over 18 years. They want to make a better life for themselves and their families. And they need your help.

Shipyard Workers and Allied Trades (SWAT) is a federation of metal trades unions working with AFL-CIO to improve wages, benefits and working conditions for over 20,000 workers in the shipyard and rig fabrication industry in the Gulf Coast states.

Participating unions are the Sheet Metal Workers International Association, the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Ironworkers and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades of the United States and Canada.

The Anti-Worker Atmosphere in the USA

Non-union workers in non-union work places do not have the regulatory protections enjoyed by their European counterparts.

Although there are state and federal regulatory agencies responsible for protecting worker's rights, these agencies are generally under-staffed, under-funded and lack the teeth, the backing and the will to vigorously enforce the law.

For example, workers at the fabrication yards are "at-will" employees, meaning that the company can fire them at any time without warning or justification.

United States Federal Courts have consistently ruled "at-will" workers can be fired for a good reason, a bad reason or no reason at all. At will employees are traditionally denied due process, representation and the opportunity to face their accuser.

While the United States is proud of its reputation as the birthplace of democracy, industrial democracy has never been extended to the workplace. Workers in the United States leave the Constitution and the Bill of Rights at home when they go to work.

There is no freedom of speech or freedom of assembly in the non-union workplace. Non-union workers in the United States live in a democracy, but work in a dictatorship.

Worker Issues:

Injuries:

TKP's US corporate culture is one of disrespect for working men and women who have literally bled for the company.

Fabrication yards traditionally have a high rate of injuries. Falls, lifting injuries, lacerations, burns and muscle tears are common when you are working with heavy steel in frequently wet conditions.

Those who are seriously injured are fired if they are medically unable to return to work after 6 months. According to termination letters shown us by employees, this is explicitly the policy of the company. Other workers tell us they have been instructed to report to work on the morning of surgery to minimize reports of lost time accidents.

In addition, the company may be violating the law by not telling injured workers that they have the option to take 3 months of unpaid leave under the Family Medical Leave Act. This would effectively extend the amount of time before they can be terminated, but not the company's financial responsibility. So why not tell the worker? The company may also be violating the Americans With Disabilities Act by not making provisions for some injured workers to continue working.

Communication:

Coflexip has not been effectively communicating with workers over key issues. The takeover of the yards by Coflexip Stena Offshore and the subsequent purchase of Gulf Marine Fabricators by Technip has left workers confused as to who they work for and if they will even have a job in the future. No meaningful discussions have been held with workers about the merger and whether these yards fit into TKP's long-term business plan.

In yard wide meetings and safety trainings the company representatives speak in English.

Approximately 30-35% of the workforce speaks only Spanish. According to workers, when they asked for a translator they have been told, "to learn English."

The company refused to provide translation, left these workers even more in the dark, and most damningly, refuses to show respect for Latino workers and their heritage.

This policy did change recently. In our opinion this change was in direct response to the presence of a union organizing campaign.

Worker have reported that company handbooks and policy books are still published only in English which leaves the Spanish language workers totally uninformed about the company policies and procedures.

Bonuses:

Workers said they were told to expect a project completion bonus of approximately $1000 per person and instead received just $95. In addition to the insulting amount of the bonus itself, some employees took the company at its word, trusted their bosses, and went out and spent the money ahead of time.

Pay:

Pay in the yards averages below TKP's primary US-based competition in the fabrication business, both union, J. Ray McDermott, and non-union, Gulf Island Fabrication.

Workers at the low end of the wage scale report making just $7.50 per hour, which is not enough to support a family.

Insurance:

When it comes to insurance, workers say good things about TKP's plan... unless they have to use it. The company pays for the cost of the policy premium, but workers must pay $20 for each office visit and $75 for an emergency room visit. Prescription drugs can cost the worker as much as $25. One structural fitter with 3 young children tells us that he averages $200 per month in out-of-pocket costs for healthcare for his children. To a low paid worker, the financial burden of paying out of pocket for a sick child to go to the emergency room could be financially disastrous.

Read Part 2 >>>