The Offshore Industry Liaison Committee, the union for offshore rig workers, is one step closer to merging with the RMT union after the OILC executive voted to back the merger. The OILC, formed by offshore workers after the Piper Alpha disaster in 1988, has always been denied TUC affiliation because Amicus and its forerunners, have insisted on that claim to representing offshore workers. A merger with the RMT is appropriate and in the best interests of RMT and OILC members, which is why we urge a yes vote at the OILC’s conference in October.