Unite the union has announced that around 600 offshore members at Bilfinger UK have rejected new pay offers, confirming fresh strike action will now take place in June.
New pay offers were rejected by those on the offshore assets of the operators Ithaca, CNRI and TAQA.
The offers all constituted a basic pay increase of 6%, but with the current real inflation rate standing at 13.5%, the union argued that this represents a real terms pay cut.
These Bilfinger members did not participate in the previous round of 48-hour strike action involving 1,200 offshore workers held on 10 to 12 May, as the pay offers were put to the membership. Around 200 Bilfinger contractors working on BP and Repsol assets, however, did participate in the strikes.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s offshore members working for Bilfinger have given a loud and clear answer to the company and oil operators.
“Simply put: below inflation pay offers from a sector awash with billions in record profits is unacceptable.”
Around 800 Bilfinger contractors will now participate in two new rounds of strike action starting on 1 June and ending on 3 June, and then from 8 June to 10 June.
A number of oil and gas operators will be hit by the industrial action, including BP, CNRI, Ithaca, Repsol and TAQA.
More than 30 installations will be hit by staff not completing planned work, including: Alba North, Andrew, Arbroath, AUK, Bleoholm, Brae Alpha, Captain FPSO, Captain WPP, Clair, Clair Ridge, Claymore, Clyde, Cormorant Alpha, East Brae, Eider, Etap, FPF1, Fulmar, Glen Lyon, Harding, Leman Alpha, Montrose, Ninian Central, Ninian South, North Cormorant, Piper Bravo, Seafox 4, Sean Papa, Sole Pit Clipper, Tartan Alpha, Tern Alpha, Tiffany and Unity and the Bridge of Don Industrial Estate.
A spokesperson for Bilfinger UK said: “As an Energy Services Agreement signatory, we align with the industry base rates of pay that are agreed annually with the unions, and this most recent offer follows a 4% increase that was awarded in January.
“We respect the right for peaceful and planned strike action and will continue to engage with the unions, our clients and our colleagues to come to a positive resolution.
“Operational safety remains our top priority and we have procedures in place to minimise any potential disruption.”
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