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Comments from an employee at Shells Albian Village 83 km north of Fort McMurray, Alberta in northern Canada.

Hello, I work at Shells Albian Village for ESS Catering which is 83 km north of Fort McMurray, Alberta in northern Canada.

I just read this article;

 http://royaldutchshellgroup.com/2007/12/06/the-wall-street-journal-this-is-the-life-luxurious-digs-on-frigid-oil-sands/

…and wondered if you are aware how different the treatment of our workers is compared to that of the construction workers. Yes, you have an airstrip and provide transportation to the construction employee’s.

However, the ESS Catering employee’s that feed these workers not only do not have transportation provided (other than a meager 150 per month added to our checks…if they remember) on those company planes but we are now expected to make our own way into camp from Fort Mcmurray which is a $160 cab ride away as well. I just figured out how much it will cost me per month for transportation both ways.

I live near Edmonton, Alberta which is 4.5 hrs south of Fort McMurray. It came to close to 800 dollars when cab fare at the home end and the camp end is combined with the cheapest flight available, which you can’t always get. I do take the bus when I have to but it is still close to 800 dollars. If Shell is so concerned with keeping the workers at Albian Village they will have to do far better than this for the ESS workers.

The recent decision to not provide transportation from Fort McMurray is going to cause you to lose a great many of the people who provide the steak dinners etc. This, along with the fact that most of the kitchen staff only get 8 hours per day and have to beg for more hours to get proper meals out is making it very hard for the good employee’s to justify remaining at Albian Village.

I suggest you place at least a little concern in the catering area of the employee’s as well. If those construction workers aren’t happy with their food the bar (where you are only allowed 2 drinks per person), workout room and yoga aren’t going to keep them there Also, if the worker happens to be a smoker consider first that working at this camp in the dead of winter could become a tad uncomfortable being that there is no smoking allowed anywhere in the village and no heated shelter outside where the temperatures this winter dropped to -42 (without the wind chill factor)!

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4 Comments

  1. skychefcanada says:

    Listen here crybaby…what is your name? Ho long have you been a Union Member?
    You know that the companies literally could give a shit what you think?
    You are replaceable and everyone is right! suck it up …. why didnt you post some interposing blog?
    I have more experience than many cooks up there and have satisfied millions with more than just camp food which half the time is crap..
    I am a Alberta trades-man and I haven’t yet got any respect from any of the catering companies up north even though I have put my heart and sole in it and been bossed around and harassed for years.
    Why haven’t the Union stepped up to protect my job security and here I sit on the net in my office waiting to be despatched.
    I wear pride on my sleeves like most hardworking people up north.
    Its time you should think about changing careers because you seriously need a reality check.
    Look at the the unqualified people that are not originally from Alberta taking Albertans jobs Away….stay tuned,,,to be continued

  2. a1tbbj67 says:

    oh suck it up buttercups, you always got to get a few complainers, i have been in this camp for over 2 years, and i havent had any issues at any time, i work for ledcor industrial. No matter where i fly from ,commerical or flair air (the shell plane) it do not cost me one cent. if its commerical they make sure someone takes me to the airport, same with flare. at no cost. Flights are always booked on time, so the issues that you complainers are having are the company you work for, maybe you should apply for a job with ledcor. Everythings paid for with me nothing costs me anything here . And im a skilled labourer with ledcor industrial

    thanks

  3. blondenbusty says:

    Your in a union making 3-4K every two weeks, your travel expenses are deductible from your tax return next year, stop your bitching, some ESS employees make shit all compared to you.

  4. Deborah says:

    I agree they are not giving the same treatment for all employees.But I also just heard that a near by camp is offering an extra $6.00 an hour perhaps its time to move on & let shell think about the way they operate !! I have talked to a cpl of the construction workers & one man tells me that he is only making $31.00 hrly thats what he was making in Ontario.I feel for your staff sir you should be considered as important as the construction workers where would they be without the staff ???