Unions warn of strike action

Offshore workers could take “sustained" North Sea strike action this summer after a pay deal was rejected by trade unions.

More than 80% of Unite members voted against accepting the latest terms and conditions put on the negotiating table by the Offshore Contractors Association (OCA).

Similarly, 61% of GMB members voted to reject the OCA’s deal.

The organisation represents a number of major North Sea oil and gas employers including Petrofac, Wood Group PSN and Stork.

The OCA and the unions have been in a long-running dispute over a wage increase, improved sick pay and paid travel time to onshore bases.

In December, the Unite and GMB unions rejected an initial pay offer from the OCA.

Unite regional officer

“The message from them now is loud and clear”

Tommy Campbell said the results of the latest ballot gave them a "definitive mandate" for industrial action.

He said: “Our members have seen the sacrifices that have been made in the terms of the many work colleagues who have lost their jobs and others who have seen significant pay cuts. The message from them now is loud and clear: enough is enough. We said in the ballot paper that if this second offer was rejected then it would likely end up in sustained industrial action over the summer months.”

Paul Atkinson, chief executive of the Offshore Contractors Association, has pledged to try and get the unions back for further talks. He said: “We are extremely disappointed that members of the trade unions who took part in the consultative ballot have rejected our pay offer.”