More than 700 offshore workers at Bilfinger UK have accepted a ‘vastly’ improved wage offer, bringing a pay dispute to an end.
Members of the Unite union accepted a further 6% increase on basic pay, in addition to the 4% rise in January. With other uplifts made by Bilfinger in November 2022, the increase in basic pay has been lifted by up to 19% for some members in less than a year.
The deal for example means a £5.15 uplift in hourly pay for an advanced scaffolder and it constitutes the highest annual pay increase ever in the North Sea for Bilfinger contractors.
Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “The deal only came about due to the determination of our members to secure a fairer wage offer demonstrated by their bravery in taking strike action.
“This shows that workers can take on the oil and gas operators and contractors, and win.”
Bilfinger had initially refused to increase pay above the base rate set in the Energy Services Agreement (ESA) for 2022. The ESA agreed last year to a 4% uplift, which was paid in January.
The Bilfinger contractors were scheduled to participate in the two recent rounds of offshore strike action starting on 1 June and ending on 3 June, and then from today to 10 June. However, the industrial action was suspended to allow a vote on the improved wage offer by Bilfinger.
A spokesperson for Bilfinger said: "We're pleased to have worked with Unite to bring forward an offer that our colleagues and clients agreed best supports our workers, and their families.
"We are fully committed to engaging with unions on employment matters, outside of and throughout periods of industrial action, and will continue to work with them to deliver solutions that are right for our people, our customers and our business.
"This deal enables our employees and our organisation, as co-signatories of the Energy Services Agreement, to work together to ensure a secure and sustainable oil and gas industry and energy sector for the future."
Separately, the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) has accepted a new pay offer from ScotRail, with members receiving a 5% basic uplift - and the lowest paid receiving as much as an 8% increase.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “This was a tough negotiation and our members have voted to accept this modest pay deal.
“We have managed to negotiate this deal like many others on the railways including in Wales, the English regions and now Scotland.
“Where the Department for Transport has the controlling mandate for 14 train operators, RMT has had a year-long dispute with multiple strikes.
“Scotrail members have benefited from annual pay rises and extra value added to their overall pay packages, unlike RMT members on 14 rail operators, some of whom have not had a pay rise in four years.”
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