A new report from the Oilsands Community Alliance (OSCA) suggests rotational workers benefit our region and the industry.
The report called, Rotational Workforce in the Athabasca Oil Sands Area, said utilizing fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workers in our region has increased due to industry’s major expansion in the early to mid-2000s.
According to the report, 15 oilsands projects use FIFO workers for several reasons including remote location of projects, safety, quality of life, performance, time and cost efficiencies.
“Oil sands operators have been successful in attracting workers and their families to the region for decades, but fly-in, fly-out remains the preferred option for many individuals. Every oil sands worker has unique circumstances defining how they choose to live, and nobody can dictate those choices,” said Karim Zariffa, OSCA Executive Director.
OSCA’s report said an operations-based rotational worker makes an average 0.18 visits per week to the community and spends an average of $436 per visit.
It also said that rotational workers spent between $82 and $91 million in Fort McMurray last year.
A 2017 survey stated that 40 per cent of the Fort McMurray International Airport passengers were FIFO workers.
It also adds that FIFO workers reduce the municipality’s economic burden.
OSCA said their research indicates that residential development is not a net contributor to municipal revenue that residents typically consume more programs, and services then they contribute in property taxes.
Mayor Don Scott campaigned on a promise to reduce FIFO workers.
At a media availability on Wednesday, Scott said he wanted more people living in the region.
“I accept that some of the camps are so remote that we are not going to be able to drive there, I recognize that. In my view, because I am so greedy for this region, there is always more that can be done.”
OSCA believes fly in and fly out and local workers are necessary and can co-exist.
